OFF97: Removing Preceding Space for Values Converted to Strings

 Last reviewed: July 3, 1997
Article ID: Q170723
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications included with: 

        - Microsoft Access versions 7.0, 97
    - Microsoft Word 97 for Windows
    - Microsoft PowerPoint 97 for Windows
    - Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows

SUMMARY

The Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications Str() function returns the string representation of a numeric value represented as (n). Positive numbers and zeros are converted to a string with a leading space character.

This article discusses methods that can be used to remove the preceding space for values converted to strings.

MORE INFORMATION

Microsoft provides examples of Visual Basic for Applications procedures for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. The Visual Basic procedures in this article are provided 'as is' and Microsoft does not guarantee that they can be used in all situations. While Microsoft support engineers can help explain the functionality of a particular macro, they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality, nor will they help you construct macros to meet your specific needs. If you have limited programming experience, you may want to consult one of the Microsoft Solution Providers. Solution Providers offer a wide range of fee-based services, including creating custom macros. For more information about Microsoft Solution Providers, call Microsoft Customer Information Service at (800) 426-9400.

The following macro code example converts a numeric value to a string value. The variable "lastName" is then joined with "empcode" and stored in the variable "license": 

   lastName = "Peterson"
   empcode = Str(1234)
   license = lastName & empcode 'Result is: Peterson 12345
The following macro code example converts a numeric value to a string value, and then removes the leading space that was automatically added by Str() using the LTrim$() function. The variable "lastName" is then joined with "empcode" and stored in the variable "license": 

   lastName = "Peterson"
   empcode = Str(1234)
   empcode = LTrim$(empcode)
   license = lastName & empcode 'Result is: Peterson12345
In Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications, you can convert numeric values to string values with the Visual Basic for Applications CStr() function. The function will drop the leading space automatically without the need for using the Trim$() function, as in the following example: 

   lastName = "Peterson"
   empcode = CStr(1234)
   license = lastName & empcode 'Result is: Peterson12345
The Str() function is used to convert a numeric value to a string. This can be useful when using the MsgBox statement to concatenate text and a numeric variable. Note that the leading space that is generated by the Str() function makes it unnecessary to add an extra space between the two values in the MsgBox statement. For example: 

   sValue = Str(457)
   MsgBox "Total sales equal" & sValue
   ' Result is: Total sales equal 457
The correct syntax for concatenating text and the contents of a numeric variable is as follows: 

   MsgBox "Total sales equal " & 457
   ' Result is: Total sales equal 457

   -or-

   MsgBox "Total sales equal" & Str(457)
   ' Result is: Total sales equal 457

   -or-

   MsgBox "Total sales equal " & CStr(457)
   ' Result is: Total sales equal 457

Additional query words: offcon vba vbe vb
Keywords : kbcode kbprg
Version : WINDOWS:7.0,97
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbinfo

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Last reviewed: July 3, 1997
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