Export file does keep zero in decimals lower than one

February 6, 200818 yr

Hi,

I have found something that seems to be a bug.

A table has a numeric field. If I export records from that table as CSV, all records that have a value lower than 1 and higher than zero (any decimal number such as 0.32) do not export the leading zero. This is a big problem for exchanging data among applications.

One important consideration is that I am using an english version of FMP Advanced v3 in a non english OS (Windows XP spanish), using standard regional options for spanish (decimal symbol is a comma, thousands separator is a dot). However, this should not negatively affect exports from FM or any other program, by the way.

From what I have found:

1.- If I only export that numeric field, FM exports the zero (for instance: 0,32)

2.- If I export more than one field, FM adds Text qualifier - "" - and text delimiter (a comma). This might be the source of the problem, but if it is, is a bug.

3.- Exporting more than one field removes all zeroes in decimal numbers lower than 1 and higher than zero (for instance: 0,32 becomes ,32).

4.- This problem did not happen in versions prior to FP v7. FM exported the zeroes. The main difference I have noticed is that in older versions, FM did not use text qualifiers. Of course, it is much better to have text qualifiers, specially while exchanging data with Excel and similars.

5.- The problem seems to happen also with other file format (I have tried some, not all of them).

6.- The problem remains whatever output character set is choosen.

7.- The problem remains if I use a spanish version of FM to export the data.

Has anyone else experienced this issue? (it is very easy to reproduce).

Unfortunately, I cannot use other export format, because several databases are feed using CSV files and reprogramming this could be a nightmare.

Any ideas?

Thank you

February 6, 200818 yr

On the layout used for exporting, format the number field as decimal. When exporting, select the "Apply current layout's formatting to exported data" option.