leading zeros in csv file

[GLS400]

Hi All:

I read somewhere (probably here) that if I put my numeric field in quotes and preceed the first quote with = leading zeros will be retained in the csv file.
(="001" will be displayed as 001 when opened as a csv file.)

I wrote the program to create the csv file that way and it LOOKED great with leading zeros.

The problem is that when I click on the cell I see ="001"

Is there some way to convert 001 to a text format so I can retain the leading zeros?

Thanks in Advance
GLS

[Billw]

Re: leading zeros in csv file

Why does a numberic field need to contian leading zeros? I guess you want it to be a text field.

Spread sheet text data (is what you want to do)' "001" defines in the spread sheet that this field is text data. You don't need the = sign.

Good Luck

[GLS400]

Re: leading zeros in csv file

Hi Bill:

Thanks for the reply.

The Vendor requires it to be text and display as 001. Using just quotes still zero suppresses when called up in excel.

I know I can call it a text file, Import it to excel, and change each field from "GENERAL" to "TEXT" on the import but I was looking for something more automated.

Thanks
Gls

[Billw]

Re: leading zeros in csv file

Well you're right on that one...what a pain.

Wrap it in single quotes. I get the 003 and it alos shows the single quotes in the cell. '003'

[Billw]

Re: leading zeros in csv file

or even better, mess them up and put a dollar sign in front....lol

[jmckay]

Re: leading zeros in csv file

Simple - use a single quote as in "'001"


John McKay
jmckay@mckaysoftware.ie

https://www.mckaysoftware.iw

[Billw]

Re: leading zeros in csv file

Nope double quotes didn't work. It still comes out as 1 in excel. That is what I suggested way up top. Then I test it further. No go.

[jmckay]

Re: leading zeros in csv file

double quote - single quote - zero - zero - one - double quote
" ' 0 0 1 "

John McKay
jmckay@mckaysoftware.ie

https://www.mckaysoftware.iw

[Mercury]

Re: leading zeros in csv file

double quote - single quote - zero - zero - one - double quote
" ' 0 0 1 "

When you CLICK on the cell, you can see '001 (single quote 001) not 001.
The only way I found to not get the quote was in using the MC Press Online SQL2CSV and SQL2XLS utilities by Giuseppe Costagliola.

[gcraill]

Re: leading zeros in csv file

format the cells in excell to pad leading zeroes ????

or does it have to be automatic ?