How do you change field type from string to date

Joanne Felci 2

Hello!

I'm using Crystal Reports 10 and using a RE export to a CSV file that I'm then saving as an Excel 97-2003 file



One of the fields is a date but it is importing into CR as a string so I am unable to do the formating I want on it (I just want it to list month/year)



Any advice on this?



thanks!

Chester Bammel

Use the Date function.  Put the text string in parenthesis:  Date (string)

Joanne Felci 2

Chester Bammel:

Use the Date function.  Put the text string in parenthesis:  Date (string)

Thanks for responding Chester but I do not understand what you mean, by using the date function.

Patrick Manning

The text needs to be parsed, converted into numbers and then formatted to a date data type.  The following formula can be altered depending on how the YYYYMMDD is organized:

If Length ({TABLE.FIELD}) = 8 THEN

   Date (Val ({TABLE.FIELD}[1 to 4]),

         Val ({TABLE.FIELD}[5 to 6]),

         Val ({TABLE.FIELD}[7 to 8]))

Chester Bammel

Create a new formula.  In the formula window, there are 3 sections - one of which is Functions.  Expand the +, then expand the + next to Date and Time.  There you will see the list of functions for date.



In the formula box, you can simply enter the text as follows:  Date(your field name)

This is assuming your string is in a format that resembles a date.  For instance:  date (10/4/15).

You can verify by hitting the "Check" icon that looks like 'x-2' with a checkmark under it that is right below the Save and Close button.

Then, just drop that formula into your report.

Joanne Felci 2

Thank you both!  I did get it to work 

Chester Bammel

You’re very welcomed.

 

 

Chester
Bammel

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