Leading Zeros Format Unavailable for Social Security Numbers (115869)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Works 2.0
  • Microsoft Works 2.0a
  • Microsoft Works 3.0
  • Microsoft Works 3.0a
This article was previously published under Q115869

SYMPTOMS

The Help utility in Works states that you can use the Leading Zeros format with social security numbers in the Database and Spreadsheet modules. This is incorrect because social security numbers are nine digits long, which exceed the eight-digit limit of the Leading Zeros format.

WORKAROUND

Use the General or Text format for social security numbers instead.

NOTE: The Text format is only available in Works 3.0 and 3.0a.

MORE INFORMATION

Because calculations are not usually performed on social security numbers, a General or Text format should be acceptable for most applications and users. These formats will also allow hyphens to be inserted after the third and fifth digits of the social security number as they commonly appear on documents.

For more information about formatting Spreadsheet cells and Database fields, please refer to the references below:

REFERENCES

  • "Microsoft Works for Windows User's Guide," for version 3.0, pages 312-314 for the Database module and pages 171-172 for the Spreadsheet module
  • "Microsoft Works for Windows User's Guide," for version 2.0, pages 336-337 for the Database module and pages 117-118 for the Spreadsheet module
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/6/2003
Keywords:KB115869
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.