Public Schedule Face-to-Face & Online Instructor-Led Training - View dates & book

csv files

ResolvedVersion 2010

Matthew has attended:
Excel Intermediate course

Csv files

We are completing a csv file with names and 'phone numbers so we can bulk upload them to the contacts directory of our new phone system. The leading zeros in the phone numbers always disappear when you save the file. Amending the formatting of the cells to Number works but does not save. We are having to get around this by putting an apostrophe before the leading zero but why does the formatting not save?

RE: csv files

Hi Matt,

Your problem looks like it's due to the file being saved as a csv as saving in this format won't preserve any formatting applied. So I would suggest you save it as an Excel Workbook instead.

If the leading zeros have 'dropped off', what you could do is format your cells or column containing the mobile numbers to restore the zeros by doing the following:

1. Select data and press Ctrl 1
2. Select 'Custom' at the bottom of the category list
3. In the 'Type' field type 00000000000 (ie. 11 zeros)
4. Click OK

This will work for mobile numbers with 10 digits missing the leading zero. Once you've done this you should be able to upload it to your phone directory as an Excel file where the formatting is preserved

Excel tip:

Transpose text

You can transpose any range of cells, turning the columns into rows and the rows into columns. Just follow these steps:

Select the range.

Click the Copy button on the Standard toolbar to copy it to the Clipboard.

Select a cell outside of the range you copied.

Select Paste Special from the Edit menu.

In the Paste Special dialog box, click Transpose, then OK.

View all Excel hints and tips

Connect with us:

0207 987 3777

Call for assistance

Request Callback

We will call you back

Server loaded in 0.13 secs.