OFF98: Removing Preceding Space for Values Converted to Strings

The information in this article applies to:

SUMMARY

The Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications Str() function returns a string representation of a numeric value. A positive number and zero are converted to a string with leading space character.

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


MORE INFORMATION

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http://www.microsoft.com/support/supportnet/overview/overview.asp
For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q181058 OFF98: How to Run Sample Code from Knowledge Base Articles
The following macro code example converts a numeric value to a string value. The variable <lastName> is combined with <empcode> and stored in the variable <license>: 

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

   lastName = "Peterson"
   empcode = Str(1234)
   empcode = LTrim$(empcode)
   license = lastName & empcode 'Result is: Peterson1234
In Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications, you can convert numeric values to string values with the CStr() function. The function will drop the leading space without using the LTrim$() function, as in the following example: 

   lastName = "Peterson"
   empcode = CStr(1234)
   license = lastName &empcode 'Result is: Peterson1234
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: 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


REFERENCES

For more information about getting help with Visual Basic for Applications, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q163435 VBA: Programming Resources for Visual Basic for Applications

Additional query words: vba vb

Keywords : kbdta xlvbainfo OffVBA
Version : MACINTOSH:98
Platform : MACINTOSH
Issue type : kbhowto
Technology :


Last Reviewed: November 9, 1999
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