Character Values

Padding character values with blank values is not necessary if the field is populated with a value. One of the few exceptions to this rule is the data dictionary item Business Unit (MCU). Because this field is right justified in an alpha field, the value must be padded with blanks. In addition, all values must be surrounded with the special field start and stop qualifiers. If nothing is going to be mapped to a field, a blank must be placed between the two qualifiers. If the blank between the two qualifiers is not present, a single qualifier is converted into an alpha field in the interface table.

For example:

Purchase order number (VR01 - Alpha 25) and several blank fields:

Customer PO #, , , ,

Several blank fields and Business Unit (MCU - Alpha 12) right justified:

, , 30,