Changing how Excel handles numbers

[History Fan]

I'm using Excel 2000. If I type a number in a cell, and the first
number is a zero, Excel automatically removes it. Thus 085998 becomes
85998. How do I prevent Excel from doing this?

 

[Don Guillett]

Pre-format as text or use ' before

 

[Max]

One way is to enter it as text, eg either precede the entry with an
apostrophe, or preformat the entire col as TEXT.

If you wish to preserve it as numbers,
preformat the col as Custom, Type: 000000

 

[History Fan]

Thanks. Adding the apostrophe worked.

 

[Max]

welcome. glad it worked out for you.

 

[Vødkäjéllÿ]

One way is to enter it as text, eg either precede the entry with an
apostrophe, or preformat the entire col as TEXT.

If you wish to preserve it as numbers,
preformat the col as Custom, Type: 000000

What a top tip!