Mail merge problem

[FrankPerkins]

I am attempting to generate address labels from a spread sheet. When I register the data source, everything works, except ZIP codes do not appear in the database. (The column is blank.) Actually, 9 digit zip codes do appear, but most of my zip codes are 5 digits.
Please help.
I am using Windows XP.
Frank

[TheGurkha]

What is that column formatted as inthe spreadsheet. Is it formatted as text?

[RoryOF]

What is that column formatted as inthe spreadsheet. Is it formatted as text?

If I remember correctly a nine digit zip code is written
XXXXX-XXXX
which would require it to be text, to prevent the (implied) subtraction taking place if it is numeric.

[FrankPerkins]

It is format as a number. However, I believe I tried formatting it as text, with no change.

[Villeroy]

Format as text and re-enter the whole column like this:
Select the data in question.
Edit>Find>Replace
[More Options]
[X] Current Selection
[X] Regular Expression
Search: .+ [a point and a plus]
Replace: &
[Replace All]

Now the whole column has been converted to text. The database program can not handle columns of mixed text and numbers.

Save the sheet.
Reload the database.

[FrankPerkins]

If I make a new column for ZIP and type the correct numbers in, it works. (They end up formatted Numbers, General.)
If, however, I COPY the old ZIPs across, format them the same, it doesn't transfer from the spreadsheet to the Data Base.
WTFO??
Will I have to retype every ZIP code?
PS. Is there any way to directly edit the Data Bases created by the Wizard?
Frank

[FrankPerkins]

I had tried my experiments in the previous reply before I read the Find & Replace suggestion. I have now tried that, and it doesn't work. It appears that the Data Base only wants the date in Number, General format.
Frank

[Villeroy]

No matter what you do. Just make sure that you have consistent list data.
One row of column labels.
Under that row each column has to be filled with text only or numbers only.
View>Highlight Values [Ctrl+F8] shows numbers in blue font.

As long as we can not talk about your actual data all advice is pointless.
I attach a pair of spreadsheet and connected database with one text column and several numeric columns.

[Villeroy]

http://www.openoffice.org/issues/show_bug.cgi?id=109726
The issue has been fixed (again). I can confirm that Base treats mixed columns as text fields. The fields are not blanked.