Format Tab, Report Control Properties Dialog Box (Report Builder)

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Makes it possible for you to specify format expressions for output generated from Field report controls in the Report Designer or Label Designer. For more information, see Format Expressions for Field Controls., and TRANSFORM( ) Function.

Note

This tab replaces the functionality of the native Visual FoxPro Format (Field) Dialog Box when the Report Builder is active.

General formatting options

  • Format expression
    Specifies a format expression, which can include format codes and format template characters, instead of selecting options from the Format options group.
  • Character
    Specifies that the output from the Field report control has Character type and displays the appropriate options in the Format options group.
  • Numeric
    Specifies that the output from the Field report control has Numeric type and displays the appropriate options in the Format options group.
  • Date
    Specifies that the output from the Field report control has Date type and displays the appropriate options in the Format options group.

Data type-specific formatting options

Displays format options available depending on the data type selected.

  • Template characters
    Determines how additional format templates display with output of Character type:

    • Overlay

      Specifies that additional characters in the format template function replace output from the Field report control.

    • Interleave

      Specifies that additional characters in the format template characters display with output from the Field report control.

    For example, suppose a record in the underlying table contains the characters ABC1234, and you specify the format template NNN-NNNN. Choosing Overlay displays ABC1234 as ABC-234; while choosing Interleave displays ABC1234 as ABC-1234.

  • To upper case
    Displays output with Character type in uppercase characters.
  • SET DATE format
    Specifies that output appear as a date using the current format setting of the SET DATE command. For more information, see SET DATE Command.
  • British date
    Displays output as a date in British date format. For more information, see SET DATE Command.
  • Blank if empty
    Does not display output with Date types that are empty.

  • Justification
    Specifies that output with Character type use one of the following text alignment settings:

    • Left

      Aligns output with the leftmost position in the Field control.

    • Right

      Aligns output with the rightmost position in the Field control.

    • Center

      Aligns output with the center of the Field control.

  • Left justify
    Aligns output with Numeric type with the leftmost position in the Field control.
  • Blank if zero
    Does not display output with Numeric type that consists only of zeroes.
  • (Negative)
    Displays and encloses negative values in output with Numeric type with parentheses (()).
  • CR if positive
    Displays and follows positive values in output with Numeric type with the text, "CR (credit)".
  • DB if negative
    Displays and follows negative values in output with Numeric type with the text, "DB (debit)".
  • Leading zeros
    Displays all leading zeroes in output with Numeric type.
  • Currency
    Displays output with Numeric type using the currency format specified on the Regional tab in the Options dialog box. For more information, see Regional Tab, Options Dialog Box.
  • Scientific
    Displays output with Numeric type in scientific notation, which can be useful for very large or small numbers.

  • Trim mode for character expressions
    Specifies how character expressions that have insufficient rendering room in the field expression control are trimmed. Possible values are:

    • Default (as in earlier versions of Visual FoxPro)

    • Trim to nearest character

    • Trim to nearest word

    • Trim to nearest character, append ellipsis

    • Trim to nearest word, append ellipsis

    • Trim "filespec" style with an intermediate ellipsis

    Refer to the Using GDI+ in Reports topic for more information on string trimming options.

See Also

Reference

Report Control Properties Dialog Box (Report Builder)
TRANSFORM( ) Function

Concepts

Format Expressions for Field Controls