Google Sheets – Does Text Overflow if Adjacent Cell is Empty?

I've created this little script to format the input:

function SCHANGE(array) {
  if(typeof(array) == 'number') {
    var number = array.toString();
  } else {
    var number = array.replace(/\D/g,'');
  }

  if(number.length != 12) {
    return "<> 12"
  } else {
    var first = number.substring(0,4);
    var mid = number.substring(4,8);
    var last = number.substring(8,12);
    var formText = first + " - " + mid + " - " + last;
  }
  return formText;
}

The script validates the input and converts it, checks whether 12 digits are given and returns the outcome. I've prepared an example file for you to play around with: formatted text.

As of quite recently (02-09-2015) it is possible in Google Spreadsheets to have partial formatting within a cell.

Quote

Partial cell formatting in Sheets When it comes to spreadsheets—and the cells that comprise them—we know that one size doesn’t always fit all. That’s why it’s now possible to select only a portion of the characters within a cell in Sheets and to apply text formatting to only those characters (as opposed to the entire cell). This functionality is available on the web and in the Sheets Android app.

Screenshot

Note

It might take a while for the feature to be available as it's being rolled out.

Reference

• http://googleappsupdates.blogspot.nl/2015/09/do-your-best-work-with-google-docs.html