Data validation restricted to text lenght to 8 - but to include any leading zeros

[Detectiveclem]

Hi

I am trying to ensure that a range of excel cells shows exactly 8 digits. This part is appears to be easy by using Data Validation to set Text lenght to equal to 8. However as some of the numbers include one or two leading zeros which I need to show this data validation shows it as an error as it only appears to count the numbers and not the zeros.

Can anyone assist so that the error only shows only if less or more than 8 digits appear, including the two leading zeros.

Thank you.

 

[jmacleary]

Hi there

If you change the format of the cells to Text, the leading zeros will be included.

 

[kvsrinivasamurthy]

Format the cell.
Custom --> In the Type enter -->00000000 -->OK

 

[Detectiveclem]

Hi ,

I aleady did this, however when I restrict the text lenght if I type in 00123456 it works, but if I type in 001234567 I get 01234567 without warning me that I have typed in 9 digits.

 

[Detectiveclem]

Hi, Thank you, but I wanted to keep it ideally as a number

 

[jmacleary]

Hi, Thank you, but I wanted to keep it ideally as a number

If this was in response to my suggestion, then you can keep it looking like a number (with the leading zeroes retained) by formatting the cells as Text and horizontal alignment to the right. It will still perform as a number if you use it in a formula.