I have a column in Excel which is defined as data type 'General'.  When I import the xls the column changes to data type 'number' if the first field is numeric and 'text' if it is non-numeric.  When the field is defined as one it doesn't display the other type field contents once it is imported.  I need both to report on both numeric and non-numeric data.  I tried changing the datatype to text in the excel file but it did no good.  How can I persuade CR XI or 2008 to recognize both numeric and non-numeric data?