I am doing verification forms and it includes ss#. Because of identify
thief, I want to mask all of it except for the last four digits. I am using
a spreadsheet as my database. I have the ss# entered in one column and would
like to set the next column with the masked number.

How to Mask a Social Security Number in Excel

1. Select the column that contains the Social Security Numbers that you want to mask.
2. Right-click on the selected column and choose "Format Cells" from the drop-down menu.
3. In the "Format Cells" dialog box, select the "Custom" category.
4. In the "Type" field, enter the following custom format:
   Formula:

   "###-##-0000" 

   . This format will display the first five digits of the Social Security Number as asterisks and the last four digits as plain numbers.
5. Click "OK" to apply the custom format to the selected column.

Now, the Social Security Numbers in the selected column will be masked, except for the last four digits. You can copy and paste these masked numbers into the next column to create a separate column with the masked numbers.

Ed,

With the SSN in A2:

="###-##-" & RIGHT(A2,4)

But then, if you don't really need the SSN, copy the formulas, paste values, then delete the
original SSN

--
HTH,
Bernie
MS Excel MVP


"Ed H" <Ed wrote in message
...
I am doing verification forms and it includes ss#. Because of identify
thief, I want to mask all of it except for the last four digits. I am using
a spreadsheet as my database. I have the ss# entered in one column and would
like to set the next column with the masked number.

And to add to Bernie's warning...

Don't include the SSN's in any workbook you share with others--even if you put
them in a hidden column or a hidden worksheet.

Excel's protection isn't made for protecting this kind of thing. It's made to
stop inadvertent typing errors (stopping people from overwriting a formula).

Ed H wrote:

I am doing verification forms and it includes ss#. Because of identify
thief, I want to mask all of it except for the last four digits. I am using
a spreadsheet as my database. I have the ss# entered in one column and would
like to set the next column with the masked number.

--

Dave Peterson