limiting number of characters in a cell

[jack du lin]

I am trying to create a mailing list sorted by zip codes. The file I am
working with has zip codes in the "plus 4" format and I need to limit the
zip codes in a column to just the basic 5 zip code numbers. For example, I
need to limit zip code 123456789 to just number 12345. Any help would be
appreciated.

 

[Norman Jones]

Hi Jack,

Try:

Data | Validation | Settings tab | Allow: Text length | Equal to: 5
Error Alert tab | Add a suitable error message

 

[David McRitchie]

Hopefully your zip codes are all text. Simply make another
column for sorting purposes (a helper column).
=LEFT(G2,5)