How to Remove Leading Zero in Excel 2019/2016/2013/2010? Excel is a valuable tool for managing and analyzing data, but sometimes the data can be formatted in a way that includes unnecessary leading zeros. Leading zeros can cause issues when working with numbers, especially if you need to perform calculations or sort data.
Thankfully, Excel provides several methods to remove leading zeros and convert the data to the desired format. This article will walk you through step-by-step methods for removing leading zeros in Excel 2016/2013/2010.
Methods to Remove Leading Numbers in Excel
Follow the below step-by-step methods for how to remove leading numbers in Excel:
1. Convert Text to Number
If your data is stored as text with leading zeros, you can use the “Convert to Number” feature to remove the leading zeros. Here’s how:
- Select the Range of cells containing the data with leading zeros.
- Next, choose “Convert to Number” from an error mark.
See More : Excel Shortcuts
Excel will convert the selected text to numbers, removing any leading zeros.
2. Apply VBA Code
If you are comfortable using Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), use a simple code to remove leading zeros. Here is an example:
- Press “Alt + F11” to open the VBA editor.
- Click on “Insert” in the menu and choose “Module.”
- In the module window, paste the following code:
| Sub Remove_Leading_Zeros()
Dim rCell As Range For Each rCell In Selection rCell.Value = Val(rCell.Value) Next rCell End Sub |
- Close the VBA editor.
- Choose the Range of cells containing the data with leading zeros.
- Go to the “Developer” tab (if not visible, enable it from Excel options).
- Click on “Macros” and select “Remove_Leading_Zeros.”
- Click “Run” to execute the code and remove the leading zeros.
See More : VBA
3. Change a File Format:
If your data is imported from an external source, such as a CSV file, and the leading zeros are causing issues, you can change the file format to prevent Excel from interpreting the data as numbers with leading zeros. Follow these steps:
- Open the file containing the data with leading zeros.
- Select the column(s) that have the leading zeros.
- Right-click on the selected column(s) and click “Format Cells.”
- Choose the “General” category in the Format Cells dialog box and click “OK.”
- Excel will treat the selected column(s) as text, preserving the leading zeros.
4. Use VALUE Function
Excel provides a built-in function called VALUE to convert text to numbers and remove leading zeros. Here’s how:
- Assuming your text is in cell B5, enter the formula “=VALUE(C2)” in a different cell.
- Copy down the formula to the other cells.
- Excel will convert the text to numbers, removing the leading zeros.
5. Use Custom Number Formatting:
You can also use custom number formatting to remove leading zeros while keeping the data as numbers. Here’s how:
- Choose the Range of cells containing the data with leading zeros.
- Right-click on the selected Range and tap “Format Cells” from the context menu.
- Select the “Number” tab in the Format Cells dialog box.
- Choose the “Custom” category.
- In the “Type” field, enter “0” (without quotes) and click “OK.”
- Excel will apply the custom formatting, removing any leading zeros.
6. Using Text to Columns Feature
If your data is in a column and the leading zeros are due to data being imported or copied from another source, you can use the Text to Columns feature to remove the leading zeros. Here’s how:
- Select the column containing the data with leading zeros.
- Go to the “Data” tab and click on “Text to Columns” in the “Data Tools” group.
- In the Text to Columns Wizard, choose “Delimited” and click “Next.”
- Uncheck all delimiters and click “Next.”
- In the “Column data format” section, select “Text” and click “Finish.”
- Excel will convert the column to text format, removing any leading zeros.
7. Try to Paste Special Command
You can also use the Paste Special command to remove leading zeros from copied or imported data. Here’s how:
- Copy the data with leading zeros.
- Select the destination range where you want to paste the data.
- Right-click on the destination range and choose “Paste Special” from the context menu.
- Select “Values” in the Paste Special dialog box and click “OK.”
- Excel will paste the data without the leading zeros.
Conclusion
Eliminating leading zeros in Excel 2019/2016/2013/2010 is vital to keep data accurate and ensure data editing goes smoothly. This article addressed numerous ways to attain this goal, each with benefits based on your needs.
Converting text to numbers, VBA code, file formats, the VALUE function, custom number formatting, Text to Columns, and Paste Special are covered. These methods include manual formatting and VBA automation.
Excel has a solution for everyone, from one-time conversions to automated repeating chores. This article’s step-by-step instructions will help you eliminate leading zeros and prepare your data for analysis or calculations.
Remember that your data’s context and needs may determine the method. To minimize unwanted repercussions, back up your data before making any changes.
This article will help you handle data in Excel and improve analysis quality and reliability. Getting rid of leading zeros is just one way to organize and change data in Excel. With these skills, you can use this powerful spreadsheet software to its fullest.
