Stop special format 0000 from being changed to a Zip code

[David20]

I'm trying to set a cell to accept a 4-digit number that may have leading zeros. I've set Numbers - Special Formatting to "0000" but Excel changes it to be a postal zip code from Portugal. Any idea how to keep it from using an existing formatting when I want to use a custom special formatting?

 

[Norie]

Have you tried Format>Number>Custom... and then just 0000?

 

[David20]

Yes. After I click OK it changes to the zip code.

 

[Norie]

Does it work?

 

[David20]

No, using Format Cell > Number > Special "0000" does not work. When I enter it like that, Excel automatically changes the format to a Portugal postal code. I'm trying to figure out how to stop Excel from making the change.

 

[Norie]

Well when I change the format like that and type in a number like 555 it's formatted as 0555.

Isn't that what you want?

 

[David20]

That is what I want, and it works the same for me. However, I've had similar difficulties in the past with Excel changing the format and it has caused problems. I was just hoping there was a fix.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Norie]

I've honestly never seen this before and I can't find a fix.

It even changes the Locale for Special formats, which is kind of worrying.

I tried changing that back to English, set the custom format to 0000 and it went to Portugese Postal code again.

I don't know if this is something that you should just ignore or if it would have further implications.

 

[David20]

Yeah, it's the change of locale that bothers me the most. I haven't been able to find a fix other than setting the format to text, but I have to have the numbers as numbers for other purposes.

If you ever find a fix, I'd love to hear it.

 

[Rick Rothstein]

I've honestly never seen this before

Neither have I. Is it possible that Excel has always done this and no one ever noticed before??? That seems highly unlikely to me... I wonder if this might be some kind of side effect to an update that Microsoft has made somewhere down the line?