A couple of ways, & the answer depends on what you need to do with it.

If you need it as a number, rather than as text, use a custom number format
such as:

000000

which will give you at least 6 digits no matter how many are entered.
You'll still be able to add, subtract, & otherwise use it in formulas

If you need it as text, say as a ZIP code so that if sorts correctly, then
format the cell as text and ENTER the value with the leading zeros

Formatting is changed with the FormatCells menu

"oregonpapertrail" wrote:

how can i make zero appear and print as the value of the first digit in an
excel column?