Zip Codes

[rwc.sheehan]

I know this is probably very basic but I can't get the zip codes in my database to show a lead zero. All the zip codes that begin with a zero only show the last 4 digits. Any help?

-Chris

[Keith M. Davie]

Is this a text or number field? Have you looked at both to determine any differences?

[LiveOak]

Change the field type to text. This is best anyway, as many postal codes in other countries contain letters. If you use the number field in a calculation, you can lose the letters and punctuation.

-bd

[DanBrill]

As LiveOak said, change this to text and you're all set.

My general rule of thumb is to set a field as text unless you can perform a meaningful mathematical operation on the data that it contains. There are often data that are numeric identifiers, like zip codes. But it it better to leave such identifiers as text. Ask yourself, "would I ever need to add, subtract, multiply, or divide this number?" If not, leave it as text. What do you get if you add two zip codes? Certainly nothing meaningful. So leave it as text. It will give you more flexibility down the road.

Dan

[paulmetzger]

as a side note, is there a free database out there that matches zip codes to cities?

[BruceJ]

I'll see if my dialup connection will tolerate me adding a zip code file to the Sample Files forum.. look for it there. At the rate by dial up works, it may be next month!