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Zip Codes

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    Zip Codes

    When I import a table from excel why do I lose zip codes. If I have a nine digit zip code I lose the whole thing, but it will bring over the regular five digit zip code. How can I fix this?

    #2
    RE: Zip Codes

    Hi Amanda,

    What steps are you taking when you perform your import? Do you receive any errors? Can you attach a zip file of the excel worksheet that has the zip codes that you lose AND provide us with the exact import steps that you are taking so we can find a resolution for you?

    Thanks
    Cheryl
    Cheryl
    #1 Designs By Pagecrazy
    http://pagecrazy.com/

    Comment


      #3
      RE: Zip Codes

      Cheryl,

      I just go to the import genie and select excel file and then pick my file then click import. There are not any errors that come up when the file is imported. It keeps the 5 digit zip codes but gets rid of the 9 digit. Could it be something with excel?

      Amanda

      Comment


        #4
        RE: Zip Codes

        Amanda,

        During the import there are a lot of options along the way with the genie. The options you select can make a difference on the data you end up receiving in the end. That is why the exact steps and a copy of the file make it easier for us to assist you.

        Cheryl
        Cheryl
        #1 Designs By Pagecrazy
        http://pagecrazy.com/

        Comment


          #5
          RE: Zip Codes

          Amanda,

          Just a wild shot in the dark but...

          Is it possible that the zip code field in your Alpha database is numeric rather than character?

          32967 is a valid number, while

          32967-1811 is not.

          You might also want to verify that the size of the field is at least 10 characters.

          Louis

          Comment


            #6
            RE: Zip Codes

            Amanda,

            Louis' suggestion are worth looking into. There is no reason that I can think of that would cause Alpha to loose a 9-digit zip code while accepting a 5-digit zipcode. I'll add a couple of thoughts.

            In Excel, can you break the 9-digit zipcode into two parts - the five digit and the four digit parts? Make sure they are set as character in Excel. Import both parts and concatenate them back into the 9-digit code.

            My second though is for you to go into Excel and save as a .dbf file (dBase). You will be able to choose whether you want dBase II, III or IV format.

            Dave
            Dave Jampole
            www.customalpha.com

            Women and cats will do whatever they want. The sooner men and dogs realize that, the happier they will be.

            Comment


              #7
              RE: Zip Codes

              Amanda,

              Most 9 digit zips include a hyphen. That counts as a character. Your receiving table must have a field width of at least 10 to hold a 9 digit zip plus hyphen.

              -- tom

              Comment


                #8
                RE: Zip Codes

                When I am importing the table it already says it is numeric and that is why I lose those zip codes. How can I fix the setup so when I am importing files it makes zip codes characters so I don't loose them?

                Amanda

                Comment


                  #9
                  RE: Zip Codes

                  Cheryl,

                  Is there a way to fix the settings in alpha 5 so when I import a file its doesn't lose zip codes? It is making the zip code field numeric instead of character, so I am losing my zip codes.

                  Amanda

                  Comment


                    #10
                    RE: Zip Codes

                    Amanda,

                    You could create a "dummy" first record that has "AAAAAAAAAA" in the zip code field. Alpha will see that is character and import them all as character. then delete the dummy record.

                    Pat
                    Pat Bremkamp
                    MindKicks Consulting

                    Comment


                      #11
                      RE: Zip Codes

                      Pat,

                      I put AAAAA in a dummy record and it did the same thing, it didn't bring in the 9 digit zip codes and now it didn't bring in the AAAA record. It just came up blank like the other ones. Any more ideas?

                      Amanda

                      Comment


                        #12
                        RE: Zip Codes

                        Hi,

                        I would open the table up in Excel. Click on the column with the zip codes. Go to format, cells, and select text.

                        Save and then try the import again.

                        Another thing is to check column width. I saw where someone mentioned 10, however, I have found that a lot of times a width of 10 gets pushed to a memo field. For that reason I recommend a column width of 11.

                        Give it a shot.

                        Dan
                        Dan

                        Dan Blank builds Databases
                        Skype: danblank

                        Comment


                          #13
                          RE: Zip Codes

                          Amanda,

                          Check the table structure for the target table. (the one you're seeking to import into) Change the specifications for the zip code field to Character type and width of 20. Verify that the Excel column is storing the zips in text, not as numbers.

                          -- tom

                          Comment


                            #14
                            RE: Zip Codes

                            Also, verify that the Excel sheet is formatted as Excel 4. Alpha Five does not support more recent versions of Excel for importing.

                            Many users will use Excel to export the data to a DBF file, and then choose to append the DBF data. This is an alternative to saving your sheet as an Excel 4 file, and then doing the import.

                            -- tom

                            Comment


                              #15
                              RE: Zip Codes

                              Hello Amanda,

                              I use a combination of all the suggestions above. Each week a client sends an excel file with vin numbers. Had the same problem as you, where excel would make the imported field numeric each time. With the procedure below the files are imported into Alpha, processed and printed out in reports for our needs. We receive the excel file via email. After it was all setup, using excel, doing the save as, importing, printing reports, takes about 5 minutes. This process makes a DBF file for import, works much better.

                              1. make a directory on your c: drive call it lets say import.
                              2. Open up your excel file.
                              3. Hi light the headings and data in all the columns you need to import.
                              4. format everything to text.
                              5. Hi light A1 only, go to save as, and save the file any name you like for the import, and save it as a DBF IV type.
                              6. Save it in the directory import.
                              7. Do your import operation with the genie, and you should have no problem.

                              In my case it is imported into a perment table that is used for the import, the reports are printed, and then it gets zaped for the next import, as we only need the excel data from each weekly worksheet for our weekly reports.

                              Hope this helps

                              Ed

                              Comment

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