READEXCLE function, brings number in as not a scaler

Hi all I am using the readexcel function in mathcad prime 6.0.0.0 and to even read in a number it comes in as not a scaler. is there a set format in excel that i am missing as you can see the number below comes in in brackets [1] as an example. I have tried both .xlsx and .xlsm file types both give me the same. 

note: the if function below is just an example to show I cant use the data brought in because of the [1] (brackets). 

Thanks

Ben