Excel is the most widely used tool for dealing with massive datasets. We can perform myriads of tasks of multiple dimensions in Excel. Sometimes we need to put a 0 in the first place of a cell. We can do it in various ways. In this article, I will elucidate 7 easy methods on how to add prefix 0 in Excel.
Download Practice Workbook
Download this workbook and practice while going through the article.
7 Easy Ways to Add Prefix 0 in Excel
This is the dataset for today’s article. I have some numbers and I will put 0 in front of these numbers.
1. Format as Text to Add 0 Prefix
First of all, I will show how you can change the format of a cell to add a 0 in the first place of a cell. This is a very simple method.
Steps:
- First of all, select C5:C11.
- Then, go to the Home
- After that, select the drop-down for format.
- Then, select Text as the format.
- After that, add 0s as many as you want. Excel will consider it a text.
Read More: How to Add Prefix Without Formula in Excel (2 Easy Ways)
2. Using Custom Format
Now, I will demonstrate another method that also requires changing the format. However, this time I will use Custom Formatting.
Steps:
- First of all, select the entire dataset.
- Then, go to the Home
- After that, select the icon shown in the image.
- Then, the Format Cells box will appear.
- After that, select Custom.
- Then, set the type as 000.
- After that, click OK.
- Now, when you type the 2-digit numbers, Excel will add a 0 at the beginning of the cell to make it a 3-digit
Note:
If the number has less than 3 digits, Excel will add 0s to make the number a 3-digit one. However, if the number exceeds 3 digits, the number will remain as it is.
Read More: How to Remove Prefix in Excel (6 Methods)
3. Put Apostrophe Before 0
This is perhaps the easiest way to add 0 as a prefix in a cell. You can add as many 0s as you want using this simplest method.
Steps:
- Write down ‘012 in C5.
- Excel will consider 012 as text.
- Do the same for other cells too. You can put as many 0s as possible after an apostrophe.
Read More: How to Remove Prefix 91 in Excel (4 Easy Ways)
4. Use CONCAT Function
Now, I will use Excel functions to add 0 as a prefix. First of all, I will show the use of the CONCAT function.
Steps:
- Go to C5 and write down the following formula.
=CONCAT(0,B5)
- Then, press ENTER to get the output.
- Finally, use Fill Handle to AutoFill up to C11.
5. Apply TEXT Function
The next function I am going to use is the TEXT function.
Steps:
- Go to C5 and write down the following formula.
=TEXT(B5,"000")
- Then, press ENTER to get the output.
- Finally, use Fill Handle to AutoFill up to C11.
6. Use RIGHT Function
Here, I will show the application of the RIGHT function to put 0s in the first place of a cell.
Steps:
- Go to C5 and write down the following formula.
=RIGHT("0"&B5,3)
- Then, press ENTER to get the output.
- Finally, use Fill Handle to AutoFill up to C11.
7. Insert BASE Function
Another function can be used to 0s in the first place of a cell. This is the BASE function.
Steps:
- Go to C5 and write down the following formula.
=BASE(B5,10,3)
- Then, press ENTER to get the output.
- Finally, use Fill Handle to AutoFill up to C11.
Things to Remember
- In General Format, Excel omits 0 if added in the first place of a cell.
Conclusion
In this article, I have explained 7 easy ways to add prefix 0 in Excel. I hope it helps everyone. If you have any suggestions, ideas, or feedback, please feel free to comment below. Please visit Exceldemy for more valuable articles like this.