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This first-ever ZIP Code was 00601, designating a decent chunk of Puerto Rico as the first Zone Improvement Plan (ZIP) in the United States.

Also called plus-four codes, add-on codes, or add-ons, the ZIP+4 code starts with the standard five-digit ZIP Code. The four extra numbers are added after a hyphen to complete the ZIP+4. So what do the extra numbers mean? These last 4 digits represent specific delivery routes within delivery areas.

One method is to use the Text to Columns feature. This can be found under the Data tab in the ribbon. Once you have your data in the correct format, you can use the Sort feature to sort by ZIP Code. Another method is to use a formula to extract the first five digits of the ZIP Code, then sort by that column.

The lowest ZIP Code number is 00501, unique for the Internal Revenue Service in Holtsville, NY.

Since our caller works for the U.S. government, and ZIP codes are a government thing, I checked the US Printing Office style guide first. It recommends ZIP Code. Associated Press style is similar: ZIP codetwo words with ZIP in all capsbut it uses a lowercase C, and I was surprised it would deviate.

So what do the extra numbers mean? These last 4 digits represent specific delivery routes within delivery areas. This extra detail means an even more precise matching to a more granular level. It could represent a handful of houses on one side of a street, or even a single building that receives a high volume of mail.

The term ZIP stands for Zone Improvement Plan. The basic 5-digit format was first introduced in 1963 and later extended to add an additional 4 digits after a dash to form a ZIP+4 code. The additional 4 digits help USPS more precisely group mail for delivery.