Converting varchar field into primary key

[Kim Kohen]

Hello,

I'm creating a new MySQL database from an existing Filemaker db.

My problem is that some of the existing 'numbers' in one column (it  
was a text field in FMP) have leading zeros. eg: 003, 0007, 012,  
001234. I need to maintain these numbers 'as is' - complete with  
zeros. I've tried all the numeric data types and they all seem to  
strip these leading zeros. Is it possible to have a numeric field  
type which will maintain those zeros? I want this column to become  
the primary key.

regards

kim