Opening txt file in Excell - leading zeros needed

[rdriver]

I need to open a .txt file with Excel. When I open the file, leading zeros are stripped.

It is OK if the data is converted to text in the process.
I can modify the program that generates the txt file to include an apostrophe in front of the number but then it imports and shows the apostrophe. I don't want the apostrophe to show.

Am I on the right track? Any suggestions?

Thanks

 

[rdriver]

I think I found the answer to my question, I put ="00987" with the equals sign and quotes and it looks like it works.

It looks like this board is extremely busy, many thanks to you guys that spend your time helping others.

 

[just_jon]

How are you importing the file? Via macro, import wizard, ?

 

[rdriver]

I am helping our programmer, he creates the txt file for the user who then opens it by right clicking on the file name and then selecting open with Excel.

 

[just_jon]

So you do get a series of menus pop up?

If so, on the Text Import Wizard - step 3 of 3 menu, make sure to make the column hoding those leading zeros of type Text.

 

[rdriver]

You know what is weird, I thought you would get an import wizard of some type but since it is saved as a tab delimited file (with a .txt extension) it just opens in Excel without the import wizard.

 

[just_jon]

hmmm... I get one.

 

[pchelpsource]

in order to get the wizard, you need to open the .txt file through the excel open menu, not by right clicking the file in windows explorer.