OFF98: Removing Preceding Spaces for Values Converted to Strings

ID: Q186107

The information in this article applies to:

SUMMARY

The Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications Str() function returns a string representation of a numeric value. A positive number and zero are converted to a string with leading space character.

This article discusses methods that can be used to remove the leading spaces for values converted to strings.

MORE INFORMATION

Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language being demonstrated and the tools used to create and debug procedures. Microsoft support professionals can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific needs. If you have limited programming experience, you may want to contact the Microsoft fee-based consulting line at (800) 936-5200. For more information about the support options available from Microsoft, please see the following page on the World Wide Web: 

   http://www.microsoft.com/supportnet/refguide/
For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 

   ARTICLE-ID: Q181058
   TITLE     : OFF98: How to Run Sample Code from Knowledge Base Articles
The following macro code example converts a numeric value to a string value. The variable <lastName> is combined with <empcode> and stored in the variable <license>: 

   lastName = "Peterson"
   empcode = Str(1234)
   license = lastName & empcode 'Result is: Peterson 1234
The following macro code example converts a numeric value to a string value. Using the LTrim$() function, it removes the leading space that was added by the Str() function. The variable <lastName> is combined with <empcode> and stored in the variable <license>: 

   lastName = "Peterson"
   empcode = Str(1234)
   empcode = LTrim$(empcode)
   license = lastName & empcode 'Result is: Peterson1234
In Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications, you can convert numeric values to string values with the CStr() function. The function will drop the leading space without using the LTrim$() function, as in the following example: 

   lastName = "Peterson"
   empcode = CStr(1234)
   license = lastName & empcode 'Result is: Peterson1234
The Str() function is used to convert a numeric value to a string. This can be useful when using the MsgBox statement to concatenate text and a numeric variable.

NOTE: The leading space that is generated by the Str() function makes it unnecessary to add an extra space between the two values in the MsgBox statement. For example: 

   sValue = Str(457)
   MsgBox "Total sales equal" & sValue
   ' Result is: Total sales equal 457
The correct syntax for concatenating text and the contents of a numeric variable is as follows: 

   MsgBox "Total sales equal " & 457
   ' Result is: Total sales equal 457

    -or-

   MsgBox "Total sales equal" & Str(457)
   ' Result is: Total sales equal 457

    -or-

   MsgBox "Total sales equal " & CStr(457)
   ' Result is: Total sales equal 457

REFERENCES

For more information about getting help with Visual Basic for Applications, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 

   ARTICLE-ID: Q163435
   TITLE     : VBA: Programming Resources for Visual Basic for
               Applications
Additional query words: vba vb 
Keywords          : kbdta xlvbainfo OffVBA 
Version           : MACINTOSH:98
Platform          : MACINTOSH
Issue type        : kbhowto

Last Reviewed: April 7, 1999