xls to dbf conversion problem

[petek]

I need to use excel to convert worksheets to database files in dbf
format using my corporate version of MS office working under windows
2000. The only means I could find is "save as". The result is a dbf
file with the key field corrupted. The column in excel is formatted as
text but contain values that look like numbers, letters, and
alphanumeric combinations, for example "100", "kbf", and "100A" (soil
survey map unit symbols). Excel changes these values to 0, kbf, and
100 respectively in dbf format.

It is essential that the conversion is precise because this is a key
field to be joined in a geographic information system . I spent about
2 hrs messing around this. This is a big file and I do not have any
more time nor the inclination to try to fix the field manually.
Finally, I sent the file home and succesfully converted to dbf, without
error, using Neo Office (Mac version of Open Office).

Is there something wrong with my version of MS Office. Is some
converter tool not loaded or some option not turned on or off? I need
to provide support to about 50 people who don't have alternatives to
the corporate software.

Any ideas appreciated?

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Please consult the experts in the Excel newsgroup:
news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.excel

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/

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:

| I need to use excel to convert worksheets to database files in dbf
| format using my corporate version of MS office working under windows
| 2000. The only means I could find is "save as". The result is a dbf
| file with the key field corrupted. The column in excel is formatted as
| text but contain values that look like numbers, letters, and
| alphanumeric combinations, for example "100", "kbf", and "100A" (soil
| survey map unit symbols). Excel changes these values to 0, kbf, and
| 100 respectively in dbf format.
|
| It is essential that the conversion is precise because this is a key
| field to be joined in a geographic information system . I spent about
| 2 hrs messing around this. This is a big file and I do not have any
| more time nor the inclination to try to fix the field manually.
| Finally, I sent the file home and succesfully converted to dbf, without
| error, using Neo Office (Mac version of Open Office).
|
| Is there something wrong with my version of MS Office. Is some
| converter tool not loaded or some option not turned on or off? I need
| to provide support to about 50 people who don't have alternatives to
| the corporate software.
|
| Any ideas appreciated?