How can I export TB address book without stripping leading zero ?

Question

When I export a Thunderbird address book to a CSV file some leading zeros are stripped by MS excel 2007.
Please advise.
The aim is to export to a csv file, edit the data in the spreadsheet, and then re-import the revised csv file into
TB.

Answer 1

Try this:
Open MS Excel 2007
click on 'Data' tab
click on 'Get External Data' and choose 'From Text'
Import Text file window opens
select the saved .csv file and click on 'import'
Text Import wizard step 1 of 3 opens
select 'delimited'
these should be auto selected
start import at row 1
file origin: windows (ANSI)
click on 'Next'
step 2 of 3
select 'Tab'
select 'comma'
this should make the data preview shiow as columns with correct column name.
Click on 'Next'
step 3 of 3
From 'Data Preview Area' select all
the columns which you would want to be displayed as text. Once selected the background will be black and the text will be white.
This allows you to select columns and set the type of data format
Suggest you highlight/select the eg: Work Phone and Home Phone columns.
Then on the same window from the group 'Column Data format' :
select Text
Click on Finish.