Exporting a Csv File with zeros as the first integer

[tillabong]

Hello. i have a column in my database which stores values starting with 0. i've used varchar to store it so the zero shows up. however everytime i backup my database table using CSV for microsoft excel, the file opens without the zero infront. Is there any way i can prevent this so that when i reupload my csv file the zero still appears infront?

Thanks.

[slacker_]

Use int instead of varchar if you're just storing numbers.

edit:
probably it's just an formatting issue in excel..

[tillabong]

if you use int the zeros infront will not appear

[dlukin]

Are you using them as numbers or as strings (ie like zip codes)?

[tillabong]

im storing them as strings. cause if i store as integers they wont register the 0 infront.

[dlukin]

Why do you want the 0 in front? That is the question.

[tillabong]

for postal code. but does it really matter what i store them for?

[dlukin]

When you import the data into Excel, don't you have an option as to the format? Import them as text, not numbers. That should preserve the leading 0's.

[tillabong]

there isnt any option for me to import as text using a csv file. and i think the problem already lies within the csv excel file because everytime i edit and save the csv excel file and then open the file again, the 0 disappears.

[ardnek]

I have found that entering a single quote (') into the Excel cell prior to your leading zeroes makes Excel treat the cell as text. This is how I format dates to prevent Excel from reformatting them (Example: '2010-05-01 is entered instead of 2010-05-01). Use "find/Replace" to put a leading quote in front of each number in Excel.