CSV wont save numbers as text

In a blank worksheet I formatted cell A1 as Text and enter 09876. I saved the file as Temp.csv. When I opened it in Notepad I got 09876. So I can't reproduce your problem.

Format your text values as...

"="""\"@\"

I'm assuming you're dealing with zip codes here. We also require a .csv to import into our proprietary shipping system. We have found that if you don't open the .csv prior to importation, the leading zeroes will remain. But if you open the .csv to check it, they will disappear.

To add to Chez Bubb'a answer, you could open the saved file in notepad and see the leading "0".

I suggest always using the Import Text Wizard when opening any text file in Excel. It guides you to define how the file should be parced and the data type of each field/column. From the drop down menu, click


and follow the wizard. My experience is that its a lot easier to define it up front than "fix" it after opening. The above is not code, but drop down menu navigation.

Thank you all for your suggestions. I will try to save it and "not check it." If the zeros are still there, the import will go through.

This is the first technical message board that I have received such a fast and numerous response. Thanks!

Shain