PRB: Columns Missing in .DBF File Created in Microsoft Excel

• Microsoft FoxPro for Macintosh, version 2.6a
• Microsoft Visual FoxPro for Macintosh, version 3.0b

SYMPTOMS

After you save a spreadsheet as type "DBF3" in Microsoft Excel, some of the columns are missing when you open the file in FoxPro.

CAUSE

The field name for one or more columns contains invalid characters. FoxPro is unable to read the Excel column that contains an invalid field name, or any column following the invalid name.

WORKAROUND

Change the column heading to a valid FoxPro field name. A valid field name can contain up to 10 letters, digits, or underscores, and it must begin with a letter or an underscore.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

1. Create a new spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel version 4.0 (or higer) for Macintosh.

2. In the first row of the spreadsheet, place the following information:

   Column A - CNO Column B - Company Column C - State Column D - <CredLimit Column E - Phone

3. Fill cells A2 through E4 with any data. Highlight the entire range A1 through E4, and name the range "database." The steps to do this will depend on the Excel version. In Excel version 5.0, for example, name the range by choosing Name from the Insert menu, selecting Define, and typing "database" in the Define Name dialog box below the Names in Workbook: prompt. The shortcut key to invoke the Define Name dialog is Command + L.

4. Choose Save As from the File menu, and save the file as TEST.DBF with a DBF3 file format. The actual steps will depend on the Excel version.

5. Close Excel. Launch FoxPro, and issue these commands:

   USE <folder name>test.dbf BROWSE