Importing Data in to Excel

Importing Data in to Excel Keeping Leading Zeros

When importing data in to excel, it is important to make sure that all data is accurate. If the excel spreadsheet is not formatted correctly, it can drop leading zeros from customer numbers and alter other important information. This is why it is important to make sure that when importing data in to an excel spreadsheet, everything is formatted correctly.

For example, if you have a customer 00012345 that is imported incorrectly, it could show up as customer 12345. This could cause issues in TrackAbout and create duplicate customers.

How To Import Data in To Excel Correctly

Step 1: Launch Excel Spreadsheet. Click the "Data" tab. Click the "From Text" option icon.

Step 2: Click the "From Text" icon. Use the file manager to locate the CSV file you want import.

Step 3: Select the CSV file with the mouse. Click the "Import" button.

Step 4: In "Step 1" of the Text Import Wizard, click the "Delimited" button. Then click Next.

Step 5: In "Step 2" Deselect the "Semicolon" and "Space" boxes. If it is a comma separated file, keep the "Comma" box checked. If is a tab delimited file, keep the "tab" box checked. Click the "Next" button.

Step 6: *Important* Select the column that contains the data with leading zeros. Click the "Text" radio button to select it. Do the same for each column with leading zeros that you want to retain.

Step 7: Click the "Finish" button.

Step 8: Click the "OK" button in the "Input Data" dialog box.