Oh yeah, Excel can do it for me. Maybe I wasn't clear.

The ' hash mark that adagio puts in front of the number stops the format cell from working.

So if the number is '2095775067 I can not format it, but if the number is 2095775067 (without the hash mark in front), Excel converts it to (209)577-5067 just fine.

In the end, you're right, I should use gridview.