Entering 6 digit numbers into a cell with zeros at the beginning

[Pet710]

I am trying to enter a cheque number in a cell ie 000002, when I move from
the cell it comes up as just "2". Have tried everything in format cells,
number ???

 

[T. Valko]

If *all* the numbers you want to enter will be 6 digits you can use a custom
number format of 000000.

Or, you can enter the digits as *text* be either formatting the cell(s) as
TEXT or by preceding the entry with an apostrophe like '000002. The
apostrophe will not be displayed in the cell.

 

[Dave Peterson]

Try a Custom (near the bottom of the category list) number format of:
000000

You could also preformat the cell as text, then do the data entry with the
leading 0's

or start your string with an apostrophe:
'000002

The top suggestion allows you to just type 2 and see 000002 in the worksheet
cell (not the formula bar). And it keeps the value numeric (probably not
important with check numbers).