Formatting Merge Fields

[FUBAR]

I know how to format the text of a merge field, but is there a way to format the number?

In other words, I've inserted a merge field into my layout that is type Number. I've edited the font size/colour to what I want, but now I want the number to be formated by using commas to seperate the numbers (1000 becomes 1,000)

Is there a way to do this without creating a calculation text field that would insert a comma after every 3 numbers starting on the right side? I want to minimize the number of fields I have since the database will be quite large.

Thanks in advance

[rdhaden]

Maybe I'm not understanding, but it's just like formatting any other number field, isn't it? Click on the field, click on Format/Number.../Format as decimal/Use thousands separator. As Gallagher would say, "It's just that easy!" Right? Or maybe I'm not bright enough to grasp the subtle complexities...

[FUBAR]

I wish

When using a merge field you get something like this to appear on your layout...

<<field>>

By highlight "<<field>>" you can format the text, but you are not given the option to format the number. When dealing with merge fields, I don't think FileMaker is smart enough to look at the field that you are trying to merge and then give you the option of formating the number if it's applicable.

[Kurt Knippel]

Actually you can format the numbers independantly by selecting the entire merge object, not just the field texxt. However it applies this formatting to the entire selection which can cause problems. I suggest breaking this up into pieces and formatting each seperately.

[FUBAR]

Sorry my bad. The merge field is inside a text line. I have a single line with 2 merge fields and to make the formatting look more natural (no huge spaces if the first merge field is small) I put the second merge field inside the same text line. My line looks something like this...

Total <<Equipment>> Remaining: <<QTY>>

So I want to format the number of <<QTY>> while staying inside the same text line so that it doesn't look ackward when viewing the page in browse mode.

[FUBAR]

Bah having another stupid attack. Just have to click on the entire line and then I can edit the number. Luckily there wasn't any side effects on my other merge field.

Thanks rdhadon and CaptKurt for putting up with the dumb question