I have a column, each row is a 17 digit #. , i.e.: #################

What I want is to separate that neatly and precisely into 3 columns, as follows:

### ### ####### ####

Other than saving as text, then importing the text file back again at which time i could move those handy column markers in the import wizard, is there a simple way to do this, preserving all values of cells just inserting column lines at the right points?

You want to parse the string into separate cells? 6,7,4 characters?

ColumnB
=LEFT(A1,7)
ColumnC
=MID(A1,8,6)
ColumnD
=RIGHT(A1,4)

copy, paste over as values. delete the original.

Martin

What about Data>Text to columns... with the fixed width option?