What is the most simple way to extract a date from a number or text field that has the date with the year first?

Larry

Datefield contains the data 20040621. Create a calc field with date type as the result:

Date(Middle(DateField;5;2);Right(DateField;2);Left(DateField;4))

Dan

Date( Middle( text; 5; 2); Right( text; 2 ); Left( text; 4 ) )

Date() doesn't work. With Middle() & middle()& middle I can dissect it and add it back in month/day/year format. I'm still stumped on how to present a calculation field as a date. I can calculate middle(field,5,2) and get the number of the month. I make another field that uses Monthname(month#field) and the month name doesn't change when I go from one record to the next. What am I missing?

Larry

Date does work, actually. Just change the semicolons to commas.

I could have sworn your profile stated you were using version 7 at first.

I already tried it with commas with no success.

Larry

What's the result you're getting?

See attached sample.

texttodate.zip

Did you make sure that the calculated result is set to be a date?

I can make the calculated field a date and it doesn't help. I am importing the field that I am trying to use. I can create a field that changes the number so the year is last. It won't display as a date and it won't display anything when I import more data. I don't know what I'm missing. I've done this before with dates with no problem.

Is it something to do with when the field gets put in, or storage options?

I had similar problems with Record count in file and found record count.

I messed with it until it displayed correctly after each change.

Larry

Are you importing text or numbers? Is there anything else possibly in the field that could be causing problems, like a space or carriage return, etc.?

I didn't have Perform auto import options checked.

It seems to be working now. I knew it was something stupid.

Thanks everybody,

Larry