Scanning Long FedEx/UPS Barcodes Into Excel

How to use a scanner to read long FedEx/UPS barcodes into Excel.

1. Excel converts numbers over 15 numeric characters to scientific notation and only allows custom formatting up to 15 characters (converting anything over 15 to zeros), so scanning in tracking numbers can be problematic.
2. To get around this restriction, put the single quote [ ‘ ] before scanning the barcode, scan the barcode, then hit “Enter”.
3. Excel will keep the complete scanned number, and the single quote will disappear.
4. PDF attached.

Supplies

1. Handheld scanner
2. Microsoft Excel
3. Long FedEx/UPS barcodes to scan

Step 1: Type a Single Quote [ ' ]

1. Excel converts numbers over 15 numeric characters to scientific notation and only allows custom formatting up to 15 characters (converting anything over 15 to zeros), so scanning in tracking numbers can be problematic.
2. To get around this restriction, put the single quote [ ‘ ] before scanning the barcode, scan the barcode, then hit “Enter”.
3. Excel will keep the complete scanned number, and the single quote will disappear.
4. PDF attached.