Numeric variables: Default of "zero" isn't treated as a number?

I see several old comments about the default zero but I don't see how it helps me :(.

We have discovered that when a fill-in field is set as a number variable, it defaults to a ‘0’ in the blank.  You actually have to DELETE the 0 in order to put in the correct number.  In other words, just putting your cursor in the field doesn’t make it go away.  I have tried but cannot set the Default to ‘blank’ and if you don’t delete the zero before you type the number it stays at the beginning and then the answer is incorrect. (i.e. 0 becomes 0563  instead of just 563.)  Is there anything we can do to resolve this? Many will have trouble as they won't think to delete the zero.

I am attaching a sample. (the correct answer is:  2)

Thank you,

Wendy

Print Designer/Tech Writer