If you set the number format for those cells to be 0000, they'll show the
leading zeros, but they won't actually be part of the value. Meaning that
the number 2 will display as 0002.

They you could use a variation of this formula:
=IF(B2=B3,B4+1,B4)

Alternatively, you could try working with this:
=IF(B2=B3,TEXT(--(B4)+1,"0000"),B4)

Which will actually create "numeric text" but treat it like a number. The
value will be the string 0002, not the number 2.

Something you can work with?

***********
Regards,
Ron

XL2002, WinXP-Pro


"mary" wrote:

How do I retain the leading zeros in an if statement eg if b3=b2 then b4+1
where b4 = 0001. The next number generated should be 0002 not 2.

Thanks
Mary