Q+E: Excel Driver Does Not Compare Blank Fields Correctly

Last reviewed: November 2, 1994
Article ID: Q70232

SUMMARY

If a column in a Microsoft Excel for Windows version 3.0 file contains blanks, you may get unpredictable results when you attempt to select only those records that meet certain criteria in the Windows version of Q+E.

This problem does not occur in Excel for OS/2 version 3.0.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Problem

  1. Enter the following in an Excel spreadsheet:

          A1  Name        Member
          A2  Joe
          A3  Debi           Y
          A4  Ed
          A5  Jill           N
          A6  Alan           N
          A7  Karen
          A8  Nancy          Y
    
    

  2. Highlight A1:B8 and choose Set Database from the Data menu.

  3. Save the worksheet in Normal format and close Excel.

  4. Start Q+E and open the Excel file you just created.

The following examples compare the results of various selections using the Excel driver compared to using the dBASE compatible driver or the Text driver.

Example 1

  1. Select cell B2 (Y).

  2. From the Select menu, choose Add Condition, and choose OK to accept the defaults (Equal, Y).

          ExcelFile Driver         dBASE Compatible or Text Driver
          ----------------         -------------------------------
    
          Name   Member            Name   Member
          Debi     Y               Debi     Y
          Ed                       Nancy    Y
          Nancy    Y
    
    

Example 2

  1. Select cell B1 (Blank).

  2. From the Select menu, choose Add Condition, select Not Equal, and choose OK.

          ExcelFile Driver         dBASE Compatible or Text Driver
          ----------------         -------------------------------
    
          Name   Member            Name   Member
          Debi     Y               Debi      Y
          Ed                       Jill      N
          Jill     N               Alan      N
          Alan     N               Nancy     Y
          Karen
          Nancy    Y
    
    
Microsoft is researching this problem and will post new information here as it becomes available.

REFERENCES

"Q+E for Microsoft Excel User's Guide," pages 12-15; Appendix F 157-159.


KBCategory: kbother
KBSubcategory:

Additional reference words: noupd


THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: November 2, 1994
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.