Zip code formating problem

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CAS - 12 May 2008 15:23 GMT

I am creating a post card in Publisher and want to use an excel spreadsheet
as the mailing list. In the excel spreadsheet, I have set the last column as
a zip code from the special tab in the formating window. However, when I do
the merge (mail merge option) in publisher, the first 0 in the zip code does
not print. For example, the address is in New Jersey and the zip code is
08097. After the merge, the zip code will show as 8097. Any ideas on what
needs to be changed to make sure that all of the first 0s in the zip codes
print?

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CAS

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Mary Sauer - 12 May 2008 16:21 GMT

Save the database as a CSV (Comma Delimited) or format the field as text.

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Mary Sauer MSFT MVP
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>I am creating a post card in Publisher and want to use an excel spreadsheet
> as the mailing list. In the excel spreadsheet, I have set the last column as
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> needs to be changed to make sure that all of the first 0s in the zip codes
> print?

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eezzell - 13 May 2008 01:08 GMT

I don't have a quick fix. The real problem is that zip codes are not numbers
to begin with; that is, zip codes do not have a 'numeric' meaning--you don't
add them, average them, multiply them, etc. I write to a friend in England
whose 'zip code' is IP397LL. They call it a postal code but it performs the
same function. One workaround that comes to mind is that you could create a
textzip column and force it to format correctly and then use it as your
mailmerge source. Or make the zip a text column to begin with.

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Computing should be about insight, not numbers or flash.

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Charles W Davis - 13 May 2008 02:31 GMT

CAS,

You didn't mention what Version of Excel. If Version 2007, select the column
containing your ZIP code.
On the Home tab, click the Dialog Box Launcher (that little bitty arrow
pointing to the lower right) next to Number. In the Catebory box, click
Special, then Select Zip Code or Zip Code+4. Also works for Social Security
Numbers. Click OK. All information in the column will now display the
leading zeros.

I have found that when entering the data to begin with you can type '00614
and it will print as 00614.

>I am creating a post card in Publisher and want to use an excel spreadsheet
> as the mailing list. In the excel spreadsheet, I have set the last column
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> needs to be changed to make sure that all of the first 0s in the zip codes
> print?

Reply to this Message