How to Add Dashes to SSN in Excel (6 Methods)

Microsoft Excel offers multiple ways to add dashes to social security numbers (SSNs), including using formulas or the Format Cells dialog box. In this article, we will demonstrate 6 methods to add dashes to an SSN in Excel with ease.

Method 1 – Using the TEXT Function to Add Dashes to SSNs

We can add dashes to social security numbers (SSN) using the TEXT function.

Steps:

Select cell D5.
Insert the following formula:

=TEXT(B5,"???-??-????")

Here, B5 refers to an SSN without any dashes.

Press ENTER to execute the formula.

Move the mouse cursor to the right-bottom corner of cell D5.

A plus (+) icon called the Fill Handle will appear.

Drag the Fill Handle down to cell D14.

All the social security numbers have dashes.

Method 2 – Combining the LEFT, MID and RIGHT Functions to Add Dashes to SSNs

We can combine the LEFT, MID, and RIGHT functions to create a formula to add dashes to an SSN in Excel.

Steps:

Select cell D5.
Insert the following formula then press ENTER:

=LEFT(B5,3)&"-"&MID(B5,4,2)&"-"&RIGHT(B5,4)

In this formula:

LEFT(B5,3) extracts 3 digits from the left side of an SSN.
MID(B5,4,2) extracts 2 digits starting from the 4th digit of an SSN.
RIGHT(B5,4) extracts the last 4 digits from the right side of an SSN.
LEFT(B5,3)&”-“&MID(B5,4,2)&”-“&RIGHT(B5,4) inserts dashes (-) after the 3rd and 5th digit of an SSN

Drag the Fill Handle icon from cell D5 to cell D14.

All the SSNs have dashes.

Method 3 – Using the REPLACE Function to Add Dashes to SSNs

Making use of the REPLACE function is another option to add dashes to social security numbers in Excel.

Steps:

Select cell D5.
Insert the following formula then press ENTER:

=REPLACE(REPLACE(B5, 4, 0, "-"), 7, 0, "-")

Here,

REPLACE(B5, 4, 0, “-“) introduces a dash (-) at the 4th position of the SSN number in cell B5.
REPLACE(REPLACE(B5, 4, 0, “-“), 7, 0, “-“) inserts another dash (-) at the 7th position of that SSN number.

Drag the Fill Handle icon from cell D5 to cell D14.

All the social security numbers have dashes.

Method 4 – Using Special Number Formatting to Add Dashes to SSNs

Steps:

Select all the SSN numbers.

Press CTRL + 1 to open the Format Cells dialog box.
Go to the Number tab.
Select Special from the Category list.
Choose Social Security Number from the Type section.
Click OK to apply the changes.

All the selected SSNs have dashes.

Method 5 – Using Custom Number Formatting to Add Dashes to SSNs

Another way to add dashes to an SSN is by applying a Custom number format from the Format Cells dialog box.

Steps:

Select all the SSNs.

Press CTRL + 1 to open the Format Cells dialog box.
Navigate to the Number tab.
Choose Custom from the Category list.
Into the Type box, insert the following formula:

000-00-0000

Click OK.

All the SSNs have dashes, set automatically by the number format.

Method 6 – Using Flash Fill to Add Dashes to SSNs

Flash Fill is a powerful feature included in Microsoft Excel 2019 and later versions, which can be used to add dashes to all the SSNs in Excel.

Steps:

Create another column adjacent to the column having SSNs without dashes.
In the top cell of the new column, copy the undashed value from the cell to the left and insert dashes to the SSN manually.
Select the whole column.
Go to Home > Editing > Fill > Flash Fill.