The ODBC 2.0 Help file, Odbcjet.hlp, incorrectly lists the SUBSTRING() scalar function as a supported function of the Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) drivers shipped in the Microsoft ODBC Desktop Database Drivers Kit, version 2.0. The MID() function replaces the SUBSTRING() function and should be listed instead of SUBSTRING() as a supported scalar function.

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The ODBC 1.0 drivers shipped in the Microsoft ODBC Fulfillment Kit use the SUBSTRING() scalar function to return a specific number of characters from a text string, starting at a position you specify.

The ODBC 2.0 drivers now use the MID() function to perform the same function and it uses the same syntax as the SUBSTRING() function. The syntax for the MID() function is shown below:

   MID(text,start_num,num_chars)
				

For example, assume we have the text string "Hello World." To return the "World" string, use the following function:

   MID("Hello World",7,5)

				

If you try to use the SUBSTRING() function with an ODBC 2.0 driver, you may receive the following error message:

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For more information on Scalar functions, click the Index tab in Jet Engine Error Help (open the Odbcjet.hlp Help file in the Windows\System folder), type the following text and then double-click the selected text to go to the "Scalar Functions" topic.

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