The formula Pete gave you makes text numbers out of regular numbers.

Assume these numbers are in column A. Insert a new column B if
necessary (temporarily) and put this formula in B1:

=TEXT(A1,"000000")

So I don't know how they got to General Format

But instead of prefacing with an apostrophe just fort the new cells as text
and enter 012345


Gord

On Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:33:01 -0700, peyman
wrote:

Well, the procedure Pete posted me gives me a column with "GENERAL" format
cell at the end but,I just wanna know if there is any way to have it in
"TEXT" format? because I want to set the whole column's cells format to
"text" and enter the PO numbers with leading zeros without needing to enter
apsostrophe!!
Is it possible?
Thanx

"Gord Dibben" wrote:

You are replying to Pete_UK's post but...................

Double-clicking is same as dragging but much faster if adjacent column has
data.

Pete's TEXT formula will preserve the leading zeros.

To enter a new number with a leading 0 in any cell preface the number with
an apostrophe before entering.

i.e. '012345

The apsostrophe won't show.


Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP

On Tue, 22 Jul 2008 08:45:00 -0700, peyman
wrote:

That's great Gord! but what type of COPY is that?! I mean doubleclicking on
the tiny black square.Any difference from regular copying like dragging down
the first cell's formula?
The format cell I have now is GENERAL not TEXT so if I need to re-enter a
new purchase order no. like 012345 in the column , the 0 will be removed.Any
solution?
Thanx

"Pete_UK" wrote:

Assume these numbers are in column A. Insert a new column B if
necessary (temporarily) and put this formula in B1:

=TEXT(A1,"000000")

Then copy this down by double-clicking the fill handle (the small
black square in the botton right corner of the cursor). With the cells
in column B highlighted, click <copy, then Edit | Paste Special |
Values (check) | OK then <Esc. You can now delete column A, but if
you have formulae elsewhere which reference A, then copy B into A to
over-write the values, then delete column B to return your sheet to
how it was before.

Hope this helps.

Pete

On Jul 22, 12:31 am, peyman wrote:
Hi,
I've a column of "purchase order" numbers starting with zero like
025639,045698,083354,... .I wonder somehow the Format Cell/Number of the
cells in this column is set to "Special"; "Locale(Location): Chinese (PRC) ;
"Type" : some chinese words; and "sample" : 085815.
When you are on the cell ,the content on the toolbal (infront of fx )is
84325 , but what you see on the spreadsheet is 084325.
And also when I change the format cell to "text", the 0's at the beginning
of the contents are removed.I wanna know if there is any way to change the
format cell to "text" or something else and at the same time keep the 0's in
the cells?
I hope my explanation is clear!!
Thanks for ur help.
Peiman