Excel will not save a + character as first character when I save as CSV

[jelkhouri]

I need to import customer data into ZenDesk Support for ZenDesk Talk. One of the requirements is that the phone number is formatted as +17035551212. However, I have tried all the tricks I know of to get the first character to remain as a + when I save the file as CSV. (I've tried formatting it as General with +0; 0; -0, which works until I save the document and re-open it ... the number then just appears as 17035551212 without the "+".

Please help before I drop kick my 'puter.

Thank you!

[queuesef]

A) try putting an Apostrophe in front of the text (and make sure it is formatted as TEXT OR
B) Use Excel SPECIAL Format Cells - where you would define your own format: Category = Custom, Type= +00000000000...again check your cell formatting.
Good luck, let me know if this has helped you by giving Reputation.

[Fluff13]

Hi & welcome to the board.
Csv files do not hold/maintain any sort of formatting, so you will need to have the + sign in the actual cell.

[jelkhouri]

Hi Fluff13

So if csv files do not maintain formatting, how can I get the "+" to stick?

I've tried various formulas (ex: ="+1"&E2), which then displays the number correctly formatted, then I copy/paste and do a paste values, then save the file. When I reopen the file, the "+" is gone

Thank you for your help!!

[Fluff13]

If you open the csv in a text editor, such as notepad, you will find the + sign is still there. It's Excel that is removing the + when it opens the file.

[jelkhouri]

Fluff13, thank you!! I never thought to check the text file

Thank you again!

[Fluff13]

You're welcome & thanks for the feedback.