Every time I type numbers that are longer than the length of the column, the numbers always formatted with an E+ in them and you loose the original numbers. The format of the column is General. Even when I change the column to Text, it does not do anything. Can this function be turned off some how? Thanks in advance for your help.

widen the column. The E means an exponent. The numbers are being displayed as a higher precision number, but the actual stored value is what you typed in.

Even after I widen the column the numbers still display with the E+.

How long are these numbers?

Yes, you need to widen the cell column BEFORE you put the data in it. I've noticed I have difficulty getting data that has already converted to E+ display to change.

These are 12 digits numbers. When I generate a spreadsheet with large numbers I usually make the column wide enough for the large numbers. I have this problem only when I open spreadsheets generated by others. Is there a way to correct this after numbers have been entered into a spreadsheet? TY

Yes, you need to import their data into one of your own spreadsheets that you've already widened the columns and formatted the NUMBER format.

Then use DATA > IMPORT > and point to the incoming spreadsheet and follow the prompts to bring the data in.

You'll have to play a little with where/how you do the import, read the F1 help files on data importation for more help. I just tried it and if I opened the external file, I saw E+ numbers, when I imported into formatted cells, they displayed fully.