Cells in CSV file not retaining formatting

[WLHagen]

I have some data in CSV files that I need to import in to another program. Column A in the file contains the location of where the data in subsequent columns is mapped in the software. The locations in this software contain both numbers and letters, so I've formatted column A as TEXT. However, when I save the file, close it, and reopen the file, the formatting reverts to what Excel thinks I want. The cells in column A that I have difficulty with are cells that contain a leading zero or an E in it. For example:

084 - reverts to 84
085 - reverts to 85
065E1 - reverts to 65E1

TIA for any help!

 

[Fluff]

If you open the file in a text editor, such as notepad, do the leading zeros exist?

 

[WLHagen]

If you open the file in a text editor, such as notepad, do the leading zeros exist?

When I opened the file in Notepad, the 065E1 was correct, but 084 and 085 came in as 84 and 85

 

[Fluff]

In that case the original file did not have leading zeros, perhaps the cells had a custom format, before being saved as a csv

 

[WLHagen]

Thanks. Since I created the file in Excel and didn't pay attention to formatting until after I had these errors in the csv version of the file, what is the solution?

 

[Fluff]

You will need to ensure that the cells are text & have a leading zero, rather than simply formatted to show a leading zero. That way when you save to csv the leading zeros should be retained.

 

[RoryA]

Simply formatting the cells should be sufficient. Excel creates CSV files using the displayed values.

 

[Fluff]

Never knew that Rory, thanks.