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# Entering a Number with Leading Zeros

There are various ways to enter integers starting with a zero:

- Enter the number as text. The easiest way is to enter the number starting with an apostrophe (for example, '0987). The apostrophe will not appear in the cell, and the number will be formatted as text. Because it is in text format, however, you cannot calculate with this number.

- Format a cell with a number format such as \0000. This format can be assigned in the Format code field under the Format - Cells - Numbers tab, and defines the cell display as "always put a zero first and then the integer, having at least three places, and filled with zeros at the left if less than three digits".

If you want to apply a numerical format to a column of numbers in text format (for example, text "000123" becomes number "123"), do the following:

1. Select the column in which the digits are found in text format. Set the cell format in that column as "Number".

2. Choose Edit - Find & Replace

3. In the Find box, enter ^[0-9]

4. In the Replace box, enter &

5. Check Regular expressions

6. Check Current selection only

7. Click Replace All

Related Topics

Formatting Numbers as Text

Formatting Numbers With Decimals