Is there a simple way to keep the leading zeros on an amper var being passed from a data-entry page?

-*if I do it this way:
-SET &X1=' FORD';

TABLE FILE CAR
PRINT *
WHERE MODEL EQ '&X1';

provides me with what I need:
WHERE MODEL EQ ' FORD';

but if I key-enter the same result in my data-entry page, then it eliminates the preceding spaces, which I do NOT want.

Thanks,
Carol

You may try using JavaScript to convert the blanks in your form objects to something else (underscores, for example) and then in your fex, convert them back to blanks.

CArol, i just had this very problem myself, and on this board, "Rolland" gave me the answer. (read thread # 911)
Use the FTOA function. ("floating point to Alpha")
It works for my forms like a charm.
Even works for a variable of all zeros.
read your &IN = '000' or as all blanks from your form.
-SET &OUT = FTOA(&IN,'(F3L)','A3');
Now, your post said 'leading zeros' and then talked about 'leading blanks'...and your example doesn't have any leading blanks because this html board will nuke extra spaces..so i'm not sure if you want leading zero control or leading blank control. leading blanks are harder. Post back to us if you need help on blanks.