Social Security numbers

[Hernan]

Sometime ago I asked about having a column a numbers (soc sec numbers) and
one more numbers in them, making a total of 10 numbers. I wanted to strip the
last digit.

I was helped by using the following function: =left(a1,9), then I was
instructed to copy the whole column where the 9 digits were and paste them
special>value to another column. That way I have the value and not the
formula. However, when I want to format the resulting value column to
represent a social security number, it does not accomplish it.

I have two problems:

When stripping the last digit the function LEFT does not take in account a
left zero (leading zero) and,

How can I format the resulting number to represent a social security number?

TIA

Hernan

[Ruthki]

If it is because your leading zeros are dropping off and leaving you with a shorter string try

=LEFT(B4,LEN(B4)-1)

What format are your social security numbers in?


R

[Hernan]

Hi Ruthki,

Ok, I'll try that. And the format the social security number is 000-00-0000

Thanks.

Hernan


"Ruthki" wrote:


> If it is because your leading zeros are dropping off and leaving you
> with a shorter string try
>
> =LEFT(B4,LEN(B4)-1)
>
> What format are your social security numbers in?
>
>
> R
>
>
> --
> Ruthki
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Ruthki's Profile: http://www.excelforum.com/member.php...o&userid=24503
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>

[Ruthki]

If all values are numbers I would use a custom format to format the number into what I wanted.

But first I think you need to change the text string to a value by surrounding it with the Value formula so you end up with

=VALUE(LEFT(B9,LEN(B9)-1))

Then with a custom format - select Format, Cells then Custom at the bottom of the available list. Type in 000-000-0000 in the box below the word Type on the right hand side - this should then format your numbers appropriately. Remember to format all the cells which will contain your social security numbers.

Alternatively you can use a mix of Left() mid() and Right() functions combined together with &"-"&

R

[Hernan]

Hi Ruthki,

Yes, I try to format the column under custom, that's where the soc sec
format is along with zip code etc...

This hint of using =VALUE(LEFT(B9,LEN(B9)-1)), I think will do the trick. :-)

Thanks and I'll let you know.

"Ruthki" wrote:

>
> If all values are numbers I would use a custom format to format the
> number into what I wanted.
>
> But first I think you need to change the text string to a value by
> surrounding it with the Value formula so you end up with
>
> =VALUE(LEFT(B9,LEN(B9)-1))
>
> Then with a custom format - select Format, Cells then Custom at the
> bottom of the available list. Type in 000-000-0000 in the box below
> the word Type on the right hand side - this should then format your
> numbers appropriately. Remember to format all the cells which will
> contain your social security numbers.
>
> Alternatively you can use a mix of Left() mid() and Right() functions
> combined together with &"-"&
>
> R
>
>
> --
> Ruthki
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Ruthki's Profile: http://www.excelforum.com/member.php...o&userid=24503
> View this thread: http://www.excelforum.com/showthread...hreadid=392746
>
>

[Hernan]

Exactly what I needed! :-)

Thank you so much Ruthki.

Hernan.

"Ruthki" wrote:

>
> If all values are numbers I would use a custom format to format the
> number into what I wanted.
>
> But first I think you need to change the text string to a value by
> surrounding it with the Value formula so you end up with
>
> =VALUE(LEFT(B9,LEN(B9)-1))
>
> Then with a custom format - select Format, Cells then Custom at the
> bottom of the available list. Type in 000-000-0000 in the box below
> the word Type on the right hand side - this should then format your
> numbers appropriately. Remember to format all the cells which will
> contain your social security numbers.
>
> Alternatively you can use a mix of Left() mid() and Right() functions
> combined together with &"-"&
>
> R
>
>
> --
> Ruthki
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Ruthki's Profile: http://www.excelforum.com/member.php...o&userid=24503
> View this thread: http://www.excelforum.com/showthread...hreadid=392746
>
>