2012 ACS 1-year estimates are now available

In Excel 2010 (and possibly in 2007 and earlier versions) you can select the entire range of values in the table, and in the upper left-hand corner of the selected range a context box appears that allows you to convert text to numeric values. Admittedly, it's an extra step in the process, but it works to resolve the values-as-text problem.

In Excel 2010 (and possibly in 2007 and earlier versions) you can select the entire range of values in the table, and in the upper left-hand corner of the selected range a context box appears that allows you to convert text to numeric values. Admittedly, it's an extra step in the process, but it works to resolve the values-as-text problem.