Numbers that begin with 0 - Can't format so that they don't convert
Really a newbie question - but here goes. I have a spreadsheet that has quite a few codes and numbers that begin with 0. I have tried to format the cells so that the number appears as, for instance, 0612 - but haven't been able to find the trick to keep it from converting to 612. I have projects due and no time to devote to searching for this - so if anyone has a quick answer that would be great.
Thanks for your time
Heatherbluejay
2 options
HI Heather,
You can either format the cell to make it a text cell (right click & select format cells... then choose text under the number tab), however the drawback to this is that it will not recognise any value entered as a number so can't be used for any calculations or lookup formulas (unless the reference cell in the lookup is formatted exactly the same as a text cell).
Alternately you can change the cell formatting to Custom rather than Text. When you select Custom, in the box under type enter 0 the for the no. of characters you need to display i.e. for 612 you would enter 0000 to get it to display 0612.
Regards
Mark