Lead Zeros in Text

[DOUG]

We want to use Text to Columns to divide a field with four digits into two
columns with two digits. If one of the digits begins with zero, this does
not work - (the zero drops from the display). How do we retain the lead zero
in the resulting cell?

We have tried formatting the workbook as text prior to importing and
afterward too, to no avail. Format>Number>Custom>00 did nor work either.

'Suggestions?


DOUG

 

[Sean Timmons]

an alternative would be to instead in a separate column enter =LEFT(A2,2) and
the next column would be =right(A2,2)

This woudl retain your 0's

 

[FSt1]

hi
when the first text to columns dialog comes up, choose fixed width.
on the second dialog, position your seperator
on the third dialog, in the upper right corner, choose text. if you leave it
at default of general, excel will strip your leading zeros and convert it
back to numbers. choosing text keeps it as text. the other groups may be
coverted to numbers unless they are mixed data.
click finish.

regards
FSt1

 

[DOUG]

I had tried importing as TEXT, but it did not work this time for some reason.

What did work was the formula: =REPT("0",4-LEN(D1))&D1

Then, I was able to use the formula: = LEFT (D1,2)

Thanks,
DOUG

 

[Jacob Skaria]

Dear Doug

From the 'Convert Text to Columns' Wizard Step 3; hold 'Shift' key and
select the two columns displayed under 'Data Preview Area'. Once selected the
background will be black and the text will be white. Then on the same window
from the group 'Column Data format' select Text and hit Finish


If this post helps click Yes

 

[DOUG]

Jacob: That worked - (I had not selected ALL of the columns to format as
text). However, in attempting to use the subsequent command "=LEFT(D1,2)",
the formula would not return a number. It just displayed the formula in the
cell. Do you know why that happened?

DOUG

 

[DOUG]

A work around I just discovered was to split the four digits again, using
TEXT TO COLUMNS again, remembering to select both columns as you just
suggested.

DOUG