[RESOLVED] Converting a string to a date?

[sebcia]

Hi all

I have a field in my report that is a string which accepts dates from my database.

The data in the database is stored as a string in the format "20070817" , i wish to be able to format it in ways such as "Wednesday, November 12, 2007" for example.

Can any one tell me how to do this?
Thanks!

[brucevde]

Create a formula that converts the string to a date. Something like (Crystal syntax)

DateValue(Left({Date Field},4) + "/" + Mid({Date Field},5,2) + "/" + Right({Date Field},2) )

Since the formula returns a date, you can now format/display it anyway you want.

[sebcia]

hi bruce,

thanks for helping me, the problem with any date formula that i try to do is that i get a "The result of selection formula must be boolean". any idea why this is?

[brucevde]

Where are you creating the Formula? Are you trying to create a conditional formula for one of the formatting options?

[sebcia]

Im "right clicking" the field that holds the string of data. then i go to "select expert" and i try to type in the formula there.

[brucevde]

The "Select Expert" is probably for data retrieval, ie the Where clause of a SQL statement.

Delete the string field from the report.
Create a new formula using the code I posted earlier.
Add the formula to the report.
Right click the formula field and format it accordingly.

[sebcia]

ahhhh, im such a newb!
thanks again for your help!