How to store number in text format in csv file using Ruby CSV?

Question

Even though I am inserting value as a string in CSV its getting stored as number e.g. "01" getting stored as 1.

I am using CSV writer:

@out = File.open("#{File.expand_path("CSV")}/#{file_name}.csv", "w")
CSV::Writer.generate(@out) do |csv|
  csv << ["01", "02", "test"]
end
@out.close

This generates csv with given values but when we open csv using excel "01" is not stored as text it gets stored as number

Thanks

Post a sample of the code you are using. It isn't fair to expect us to guess what you are doing. — the Tin Man
– the Tin Man, Commented Mar 22, 2011 at 9:26
What's the difference between this and your other question stackoverflow.com/questions/5831366/… — Mark Thomas
– Mark Thomas, Commented Nov 7, 2013 at 15:15

sawa · Accepted Answer · 2011-03-22 08:12:59Z

1

You have to surround the value with double quotations like "..." in order to get it stored as a string.

answered Mar 22, 2011 at 8:12

sawa

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Comments

fengolly · Accepted Answer · 2011-03-22 07:38:19Z

0

Use string formatting:

my_int = 1 p "%02d" % my_int

start here for Ruby 1.9.2

and you will see that for a full set of instructions, you need to dig into Kernel::sprintf

answered Mar 22, 2011 at 7:38

fengolly

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