export format problem

[rblackburn]

When exporting text field the text is truncated to a few words, how do I get the full text to export to dbf file? Help just mentions a "export format" issue but does not explain it.

[Lee Smith]

What format are you using for your export?

[comment]

The DBF format has a maximum of 254 characters per field.

[rblackburn]

Why were there be such a limitation on a field in export when fields are designed to handle much larger content. These seems like a series deficiency for FMP. ANy other databases not have such a limitation?

[comment]

AFAIK, the limitation is in the DBF format itself, and FMP merely conforms to that.

[LaRetta]

Approach had the same DBF limitation. When entering text into their fields, one had to decide the length of text the field would ultimately contain and if over 254, use a comment file type instead.

Comment files bloated the system and were highly discouraged so we were always playing a balancing act. And if the index trashed, comments would be lost because they were no longer associated - nothing could retrieve them. Each part - DBF, DBT, ADX (I think) was a separate file.

I spent 5 years having LOTS of fun when using it.