How to remove the first digit in Excel

In Excel, people often need to use various formatting techniques and shortcuts in order to present the data in a more comprehensible format. Removing the first digits in Excel, by using simple methods, can help you eliminate unnecessary characters and elements.

There are various methods to eliminate the first digit of the cells. However, in this tutorial, we’ll discuss the two most convenient methods to remove the first digit of the cells in Excel.

METHOD 1 – By using the RIGHT function

In this method, we’ll use the RIGHT function to remove the first digits of cells. This method is useful when the total digits in each cell of the column are the same. A data set containing the number of impurities found in a sample is given below:

The following steps should be considered to remove the first digits of the cells in Excel:

STEP 1 – Create another column with the heading Recorded Amount  

• Move your cursor to the first cell of the column, beside the Recorded Amount column.
• Write the heading Recorded Amount in the cell.

STEP 2 – Apply the formula

• Move your cursor to the cell beneath the heading of the new column.
• In this case, the required formula to eliminate the first digit i.e.0 of the B2 cell is:

                                              =RIGHT(B2,6)

, where B2 represents the cell from which the first digit is to be removed and 6 represents the total digits to be retained from the right side in the cell B2.

• Write the above-mentioned formula in the cell.
• All the digits will be retained in the cell except the first digit i.e.0.

STEP 3 – Use the AutoFill Handle to remove the first digit of all the cells in the column

• Select the cell in which all the digits got retained except the first one i.e. C2.
• Place the arrow in the bottom right corner of the cell.
• Drag the AutoFill Handle to the last cell in which the data is to be retained.
• The first digit of all the cells of the column Recorded Amount will be removed.

METHOD 2 – By using the Text to Columns command

In this method, we’ll use the Text to Column command in the Data tab to remove the first digit of the cells of a column. This method is useful when the 1st digit of each cell in the column is identical.

Let the data set same as in the above case:

Consider the following steps in order to remove the first digit of the cell in a column:

STEP 1 – Create a column with the same heading 

• Move your cursor to the top cell of the column, beside the Recorded Amount column.
• Label the cell with the heading Recorded Amount.

STEP 2 – Use the Text to Columns command from the Data tab

• Select the data of cells from which you want to remove the first digit.
• Go to the Data tab.
• Click on the Text to Columns command. A box will appear.
• Select the Delimited option.
• Click on the Next button.
• Now uncheck all the boxes except the check box.
• Beside the Other box, write the first digit which you want to get eliminated, in this case, the first digit is 0.
• Click on the Next button.
• Select the General format and click on Finish.
• The first digit of the cells of the selected data will be removed and replaced with the created column.

STEP 3 – Replace the old Recorded Amount column with the new Recorded Amount column

• Select the new Recorded Amount column.
• Right-click on it. A drop-down will appear.
• Select the Cut option.
• Now select the old Recorded Amount column.
• Right-click on it. A drop-down will appear.
• Select the Paste option.
• The column will be replaced.