Excel: File Saved in DBF Format Deletes Data

 Last reviewed: November 30, 1994
Article ID: Q89079
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 2.x, 3.0, 4.0, 4.0a, 5.0
  • Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 1.x, 2.x, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0
  • Microsoft Excel for OS/2, versions 2.2 and 3.0

SUMMARY

Data may be deleted when saving a Microsoft Excel file in DBF 2, DBF 3, or DBF 4 format.

MORE INFORMATION

Data may be lost from Microsoft Excel when using proportional fonts such as Helvetica and Times Roman. When using a proportional font, the column may contain more characters than the column width would allow with a monospaced font.

When saving the file in DBF format, Microsoft Excel converts the widths of the columns to the widths of the fields in the DBF file.

Workaround

  1. Format the sheet in a non-proportional font, such as Courier or Monaco.

  2. Format the column widths using the Best Fit option.

  3. Redefine the database on the sheet.

  4. Resave the file.

This prevents Microsoft Excel from truncating the data.

REFERENCES

"Microsoft Excel User's Guide 1," version 4.0, pages 147 and 308

KBCategory: kbprb
KBSubcategory:

Additional reference words: 5.00 1.0 1.00 1.03 1.04 1.06 1.5 1.50 2.0 2.01
2.1 2.10 2.2 2.20 2.21 3.0 3.00 4.0 4.00 DBF2 DBF3 DBF4 truncate
truncated

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Last reviewed: November 30, 1994
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