how do,i insert leading zero's for a column of numbers in excel
You have to use a Custom Format.
If it's a five digit number then custom format as 00000
more numbers, more zeros in the Custom Format
...or format it as Text by using a single quote. It all depends on what you are using the numbers for.
With '01000 in A1 and A2, =A1 + A2 will return 2000, however =SUM(A1:A2) will return 0.
Isn't Excel fun?
And just to make life a bit more interesting,..... If you always want a leading zero for your number,
regardless of what you enter, IEyou enter 1234 you get 01234
then a custom format of: "0"#
will always insert a zero before your number.
if you always want two leading zeros, "00"#Always good to know what you want before you start......