Leading zeroes won't populate

Loann McGee

We have a sheet with a column for zip code and the type of column is Text/Number. However, if the zip code starts with a "0" it won't show the leading zero. Thus we end up with an incorrect zip code entered.

 

I'm sure it's an easy fix, but I"m stumped.

Blessings,

Loann

Data Solution Consultant

Following might help which requires rule to be followed when entering such data.

• Preserve leading 0's: By default, leading 0's are hidden in text/number cells. To format a cell to preserve them, place an apostrophe in front of the number. For example: '00123
• It is found at

• Formatting Options

    at link
• http://help.smartsheet.com/customer/portal/articles/518246-formatting-options

Loann McGee

Bless you!

 

Travis

You can also use a Contact List column, which not strip out 0's (and you dont need an apostrophe) 

Prashena Bhojwani

That helped thanks -

Not an ideal situation though.

 

I imported a large excel file with product codes with leading zeros which got stripped out by SS.  I ended up changing the column type to contact list, then copying and pasting from the excel file (500 rows at a time is the max) numerous times as my file have 5,000 rows!

 

You shoudl really come up with a better solution for this - adding a ' before the number only works when entering, not when copying and pasting.

Jeremy Myers

Yes please!  Or create another column type called "Zip".  Whatever....

 

 

Kennedy Stomps

Jeremy, I have added your vote to preserve leading zeros!

Dan Chambers

I'm not sure it will help with US Zip Codes, but I had a similar problem with UK telephone numbers in a Number format column.

 

Rather than use the apostrophe at the start, (suggested above) I find that a space or hyphen after the area code makes SS retain the starting zero.

 

All the best, 

Jeremy Myers

Good one!