Gnumeric, like most spreadsheet applications, makes numbers behave in a certain way, and text strings behave in a certain way. Text strings are aligned to the left of the cell, and numeric strings are aligned to the right of the cell, which is just one superficial difference in the way Gnumeric displays data. Sometimes, it is necessary for users to make numeric strings behave like text strings. To do this, append (') before the number. For example, entering ('43) in a field will align the number to the left, whereas (43) will align it to the right. Once the numeral is entered with the (') before it, and the cursor is moved to another field, the (') won't show up before the number in the spreadsheet. Note that mathematical operations on such numbers will still work.