Q+E: Field Names get Truncated to Eight Characters

• Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 3.0 and 4.0
• Microsoft Excel for OS/2, version 3.0
• Q+E for Microsoft Excel, version 3.0a

Summary:

When saving a file from Q+E into dBASE format, lowercase field headings that are longer than eight characters are truncated to eight characters.

This occurs only when you choose Use Headings for Field Names in the Save As... Dialog box. Headings are the aliases that are assigned under Layout Define Column... for the current query.

To correct this problem:

1. Highlight the column that has lowercase characters in the field heading.

2. From the Layout Menu, choose Define Column...

3. Change the name of the field heading to up to 10 characters, all uppercase.

4. Choose the OK button.

5. Save the query as a dBASE file using the Use Headings for Field Names option.

In dBASE, there is a limit of 10 characters in a field name. In Q+E, if a field name is longer than 10 characters, all of the characters beyond the tenth should be truncated when saved as a dBASE file. However, in Q+E, if the field name appears in lowercase, it gets truncated to eight characters when saved into dBASE file format.

For example, if you create a file in Q+E and name one of the fields "commissions" (in lowercase, without the quotation marks), the final "ons" is truncated when you save the file in dBASE format. The field name appears as "COMMISSI" upon reopening the dBASE file.

If you reformat the field name so that it appears in uppercase, "COMMISSIONS", Q+E correctly writes this as a 10-character field name when saved in dBASE format. You will see "COMMISSIONS" upon reopening the dBASE file.

Reference(s):

"Q+E for Microsoft Excel Users Guide," version 4.0, Page 28

"Q+E for Microsoft Excel Users Guide," version 3.0, Page 28