Quick Guide: Formatting the Account Number Column as Text

Step 1: Open the CSV File

1. After downloading the CSV file, open it in Excel (or your preferred spreadsheet application).

Step 2: Select the Account Number Column

1. Click on the header of the account_number column (usually labeled as "Account Number" or similar) to select the entire column.

Step 3: Format the Column as Text

1. With the column selected, right-click on the header of the account_number column.

2. From the context menu, select "Format Cells...".

3. In the Format Cells dialog box, select "Text" under the Category section.

4. Click "OK" to apply the format.

Step 4: Verify the Formatting

1. After formatting, the account numbers should be left-aligned in the column, indicating that they are now treated as text.

2. If you see any account numbers with leading zeros (e.g., 012345607), they should be displayed correctly without the zeros being removed.

Step 5: Save the File

1. After formatting the column, save the file by clicking on File > Save or pressing Ctrl + S (Windows) / Cmd + S (Mac).

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Why Format as Text?

• Prevent Loss of Data: Formatting the account_number column as text ensures that leading zeros in account numbers are preserved. This is crucial for accurate banking information.

• Ensure Consistency: It ensures that all account numbers, regardless of their format, are treated consistently as text strings rather than numbers.

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Tip: It's best to format the account_number column as text before entering any data to avoid any issues with leading zeros.