Excel Newbie-Simple Question Regarding Numbers Formats

F

Frank Lodge

Trying to enter positive numbers (no decimal places)
into cells that start with the number zero.No luck.

Tried "Help"...couldn't figure it out (after 30 minutes).

Can somebody walk me through it? I'm using Excel 2000.

TIA!
 
B

BenjieLop

The only way I know a number starting with zero (0) can be entered in
cell without losing the 0 is to put an apostrophe before entering th
number, e.g.

'012345

and this will register in the cell as 012345. But then, technically
this is not in a number format. This will be a text.

BTW, how can a number starting with 0 not have a decimal place in fron
of it? I am just wondering.
 
A

ADArnold

I don't know if this'll work, but can you format the cell(s) a 'special
and then zip code. I know it will then keep the 0 in the eastern zi
codes
 
D

Debra Dalgleish

If the numbers won't be used for calculations, you can type an
apostrophe at the start of the number, e.g. '0123
The apostrophe won't be visible in the cell.

Or, use a custom number format:
Select the cells
Choose Format>Cells
On the Number tab, select the Custom category
In the text box, type zeros for the number of digits that you need.
For example, for 00034 in your cells, type 00000
in the text box
Click OK
 
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