How to add leading Zeros in Excel – Some smart techniques you should know

🔹 Method 1: Using an Apostrophe

Type '000123 → Excel treats it as text and displays the leading zeros.

🔹 Method 2: Format as Text

1. Select the cells
2. Right-click → Format Cells → Choose Text
3. Now enter numbers with zeros (e.g., 00123), and they will stay.

🔹 Method 3: Use a Formula

Use TEXT function to add zeros:

=TEXT(A2, "000000")

👉 If A2 = 123, result = 000123

🔹 Method 4: Custom Number Formatting

1. Select the cells
2. Right-click → Format Cells → Number tab → Custom
3. Type 000000 (for 6-digit numbers)
   👉 Enter 123, Excel shows 000123

✅ Perfect for Employee IDs, Barcodes, ZIP codes, and more!

Example: