Removing the last character from text data?

[letitiaB]

I'm trying to convert 6-digit postal codes into 5-digits in edit queries. I'm having a couple of issues but the main one is how to remove the last character in a string of text data. Additionally, I'd like to remove spaces and convert all letters to upper case. 

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

All these are available on the Transform tab in Edit Queries.  

To keep only the first five characters of a text field:

1. Highlight the field
2. On the Transform menu, click Extract (in Text Column section) -> First Characters, then enter 5 in the dialogue box

To remove spaces:

1. Highlight the field
2. On the Transform menu, click Replace Values (in Any Column section) -> Replace Values, then enter a space in the Value To Find box and nothing in the Replace With dialogue box

To convert all letters to upper case:

1. Highlight the field
2. On the Transform menu, click Format (in Text Column section) -> then click UPPERCASE