Release 10.1A: OpenEdge Reporting:
Query/Results for Windows

> ## Changing the format for a display field

> When you choose Assistant in the Properties dialog box, Results displays the Format dialog box for the type of display field you selected. The following sections describe how to change the formats for these field types.

> Note: Any change you make to the display format modifies how the field is displayed. Changing the display format does not alter how the field is stored in the database.

> ##### Changing the format for a character field

> Figure 7–1 shows the Format dialog box you use to edit character fields.

> Figure 7–1: Format dialog box

> The format for the field in this example is X(20) where X represents the symbol type for the field and (20) the maximum length of the field. The symbol X means that the field can display any type of character. You can modify both the symbol type and maximum length of the field.

> To modify the maximum number of characters the field can display, type a number in the Width field. To modify the symbol type, choose one of the radio buttons listed in Table 7–2, then choose OK.

> Table 7–2: Character field properties
> Property | Description
> --- | ---
> Allow any character | Displays any type of character, including blank spaces.
> Allow letters and numbers only | Displays only letters and numbers. Blank spaces are not allowed.
> Allow letters only | Displays letters only. Blank spaces are not allowed.
> Allow letters and convert to caps | Displays capital letters only. Blank spaces are not allowed.
> Allow numbers only | Displays numbers only. Blank spaces are not allowed.

> ##### Changing the format for a date field

> Use the Format dialog box to edit date fields:

> The Format field displays the current format for the field. In this example, the format for the field is 99/99/99. To change the display format for the field, choose one of the radio buttons listed in Table 7–3, then choose OK.

> Table 7–3: Date field properties
> Property | Description
> --- | ---
> 99/99/99 | Displays the date in mm/dd/yy format.
> 99-99-99 | Displays the date in mm-dd-yy format.
> 99.99.99 | Displays the date in mm.dd.yy format.
> 99/99/9999 | Displays the date in mm/dd/yyyy format.
> 99-99-9999 | Displays the date in mm-dd-yyyy format.
> 99.99.9999 | Displays the date in mm.dd.yyyy format.
> 999999 | Displays the date in mmddyy format.
> 99999999 | Displays the date in mmddyyyy format.

> ##### Changing the format for a decimal or integer field

> Use the Format dialog box to edit decimal and integer fields:

> The format for the field in this example is ->,>>>,>>9.99, where the dash (-) places a minus sign in front of the number if the number is negative, or a blank in front of the number if the number is positive; the greater than signs (>) are replaced with a digit if that digit is not a leading zero, 9 is replaced with a digit, and the period (.) represents a decimal point.

> To modify the default display format for the field, change one or more attributes listed in Table 7–4, then choose OK.

> Table 7–4: Decimal and integer field properties
> Property | Description
> --- | ---
> Total number of digits | Specifies the maximum number of characters the field can display.
> Number of decimal places | Specifies the number of decimal places the field can display.
> Use thousand’s separator "," | Displays a comma between the thousands and hundreds columns.
> Suppress leading zeros | Does not display leading zeros.
> Show as zero | Displays leading zeros as zeros.
> Show as asterisk | Displays leading zeros as asterisks (*).
> Leading text string: | Specifies the text to display before the number.
> Trailing text string: | Specifies the text to display after the number.
> Show leading sign always | Always displays a positive (+) or negative (-) sign before the number.
> Show leading sign on negatives only | Displays a negative (-) sign in front of negative numbers only.
> Show trailing sign always | Always displays a positive (+) or negative (-) sign after the number.
> Show trailing sign on negatives only | Displays a negative (-) sign after negative numbers only.
> Show negative numbers in parenthesis | Displays negative numbers within a set of parentheses (()).
> Show negatives with trailing ’CR’ | Displays the credit symbol (CR) after negative numbers.
> Show negatives with trailing ’DB’ | Displays the debit symbol (DB) after negative numbers.
> Show negatives with trailing ’DR’ | Displays the debit symbol (DR) after negative numbers.
> Show negatives with trailing ’cr’ | Displays the credit symbol (cr) after negative numbers.
> Show negatives with trailing ’db’ | Displays the debit symbol (db) after negative numbers.
> Show negatives with trailing ’dr’ | Displays the debit symbol (dr) after negative numbers.
> Allow positive numbers only | Displays positive numbers only.

> ##### Changing the format for a logical field

> Figure 7–2 presents the Format dialog box you use to edit logical fields.

> Figure 7–2: Format dialog box

> Logical fields can have one of two possible values: TRUE or FALSE. The Format field shows the terms used to display these values. To change these terms, type a new term in the Display This When TRUE and Display This When FALSE fields, then choose OK.

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