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

ID: Q126273

2.60a 3.00b MACINTOSH kbinterop kbprb

The information in this article applies to:

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

Additional reference words: VFoxMac 3.00b FoxMac 2.60a KBCategory: kbinterop kbprb KBSubcategory: FxinteropExcel

Keywords          : FxinteropExcel 
Version           : 2.60a 3.00b
Platform          : MACINTOSH