Microsoft KB Archive/89079

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Excel: File Saved in DBF Format Deletes Data

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 2.x, 3.0, 4.0, 4.0a, 5.0, 7.0
 * Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 1.x, 2.x, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0
 * Microsoft Excel for OS/2, versions 2.2 and 3.0

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SUMMARY
Data may be deleted when saving a Microsoft Excel file in DBF 2, DBF 3, or DBF 4 format.

MORE INFORMATION
Data may be lost from Microsoft Excel when using proportional fonts such as Helvetica and Times Roman. When using a proportional font, the column may contain more characters than the column width would allow with a monospaced font.

When saving the file in DBF format, Microsoft Excel converts the widths of the columns to the widths of the fields in the DBF file.

Workaround

 * 1) Format the sheet in a non-proportional font, such as Courier or Monaco.
 * 2) Format the column widths using the Best Fit option.
 * 3) Redefine the database on the sheet.
 * 4) Resave the file.

This prevents Microsoft Excel from truncating the data.