When entering numbers into Excel, zeros at the beginning of the number are removed. This can be an issue when entering phone numbers and IDs. In this article, we will cover ways to solve this problem and keep the leading zeros.
Keep the Leading Zero as you Type
If you wanted to ensure that the leading zero is kept when typing, enter a single quote before you type the number.
This instructs Excel to store the value as text and not as a number.
When you press “Enter” to confirm, a green triangle is shown in the top left corner of the cell. Excel is checking that you intended to do that or if you want to convert it to a number.
Click the diamond icon to display a list of actions. Select “Ignore Error’ to proceed and store the number as text.
The green triangle should then disappear.
Post a Comment Blogger Facebook
We welcome comments that add value to the discussion. We attempt to block comments that use offensive language or appear to be spam, and our editors frequently review the comments to ensure they are appropriate. As the comments are written and submitted by visitors of The Sheen Blog, they in no way represent the opinion of The Sheen Blog. Let's work together to keep the conversation civil.