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- Create a new, empty column next to the ID field (Geo 2 field for Census data before 2010).
- Format the new column as General. Name it Geo 3
- Type in the formula =Left(cell# of cell in Geo 2 field, #of digits of number) This will convert the number to a regular, General format.
- Copy/paste the formula into every cell adjacent to a Geo 2 cell you need to convert
- Copy the entire newly formatted set of fields in the new column
- In same column, with all fields still highlighted, right-click and choose Paste Special. Choose Values from the available menu.
- Click OK. This should paste the actual Value of the Geo 2 field in General format into the new column and display it normally, rather than as a Scientific format.
- Use the Geo 3 field in your Spatial Join.
- This procedure will save you the effort of having to copy/paste the value of hundreds of Geo 2 cells.
Distribute Block, Block Group, County and State
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Data from a
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Single Cell into Multiple Cells in Different Columns
Look for the Microsoft Help document, Distribute the contents of a cell into adjacent column.