Microsoft KB Archive/115869

= Leading Zeros Format Unavailable for Social Security Numbers =

Article ID: 115869

Article Last Modified on 10/6/2003

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Works 2.0 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Works 2.0a
 * Microsoft Works 3.0 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Works 3.0a

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This article was previously published under Q115869



SYMPTOMS
The Help utility in Works states that you can use the Leading Zeros format with social security numbers in the Database and Spreadsheet modules. This is incorrect because social security numbers are nine digits long, which exceed the eight-digit limit of the Leading Zeros format.



WORKAROUND
Use the General or Text format for social security numbers instead.

NOTE: The Text format is only available in Works 3.0 and 3.0a.



MORE INFORMATION
Because calculations are not usually performed on social security numbers, a General or Text format should be acceptable for most applications and users. These formats will also allow hyphens to be inserted after the third and fifth digits of the social security number as they commonly appear on documents.

For more information about formatting Spreadsheet cells and Database fields, please refer to the references below:

