Convert letter value to number

[newbiewonkinobie]

I have an item number, for example: in cell A1, which is 1224-A25, and I have a cell next to it that strips the last numbers after the first 4 digits. In column B, I have tried this 2 ways:
LEFT(A1,4)
and also:
=LEFT(A2,FIND("-",A2)-1)
I'm using conditional formatting to highlight the cell in column B if it matches a number in cell F3.
"Cell value is" "equal to" "=$f$3", format the cell yellow.
It does strip the values after the 1st 4 digits, but I know the return is not a number because the cell in column B doesn't change colors, and I can't do a "sum" on the returned values. I even formatted the cells to be numbers. How do I make the returned value be a number?

Flores

 

[SnarkHunter]

Try this:

=VALUE(LEFT(A1,4))

It worked for me!

 

[newbiewonkinobie]

Thanks, SnarkHunter, sweet and simple solution.

Flores

 

[KenWright]

Slightly shorter and less functions:-

=--LEFT(A1,4)

Regards
Ken.............

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