How do I make a number have leading zeros to fill width of cell?
 

I am trying to format existing data so that instead of being a set amount of
digits, say 2 for example, it fills out the column based on its width, say 6,
with leading zeros. Example - I have 55122 in a cell that has a width of 6,
and I want it to say 055122. I know that changing the cell format to text and
re-entering the data would fix this problem, but I want a way to change the
data without re-entering it.

You can use a custom format of 000000, but by width, do you mean that if the
cell is widened it gets extra leading digits?

--

HTH

RP
(remove nothere from the email address if mailing direct)


"Max_Rebo1" wrote in message
...
I am trying to format existing data so that instead of being a set amount
of
digits, say 2 for example, it fills out the column based on its width, say
6,
with leading zeros. Example - I have 55122 in a cell that has a width of
6,
and I want it to say 055122. I know that changing the cell format to text
and
re-entering the data would fix this problem, but I want a way to change
the
data without re-entering it.

If you know that you want 6 digits, you can use a custom format of:
000000
select the column
format|cells|number tab|custom category

You could try this custom format, too:
0*0

If you widen the cell, you may see what looks like a gap between the leading 0
and the number you typed into the cell. But if you widen/shrink that column,
you'll see that this gap disappears.




Max_Rebo1 wrote:

I am trying to format existing data so that instead of being a set amount of
digits, say 2 for example, it fills out the column based on its width, say 6,
with leading zeros. Example - I have 55122 in a cell that has a width of 6,
and I want it to say 055122. I know that changing the cell format to text and
re-entering the data would fix this problem, but I want a way to change the
data without re-entering it.

--

Dave Peterson

Hi,

Select the data region -- "Format" -- "Cells" -- Select "Custom" under
"Category" -- Enter 000000 under "Type" -- "OK"
(In fact you can see under "Sample", a preview of how the numbers will be
formatted, as you are enter the 0's under "Type")

Regards,
B. R. Ramachandran

"Max_Rebo1" wrote:

I am trying to format existing data so that instead of being a set amount of
digits, say 2 for example, it fills out the column based on its width, say 6,
with leading zeros. Example - I have 55122 in a cell that has a width of 6,
and I want it to say 055122. I know that changing the cell format to text and
re-entering the data would fix this problem, but I want a way to change the
data without re-entering it.

Thank you all, that worked great!!

"Max_Rebo1" wrote:

I am trying to format existing data so that instead of being a set amount of
digits, say 2 for example, it fills out the column based on its width, say 6,
with leading zeros. Example - I have 55122 in a cell that has a width of 6,
and I want it to say 055122. I know that changing the cell format to text and
re-entering the data would fix this problem, but I want a way to change the
data without re-entering it.