Expression Evaluation in Labels

[Genx]

It would really help to be able to evaluate expressions directly within labels like you can do in access. It would save a lot of unecessary field creation.

The simplest example:

=Get(RecordNumber) & " of " & Get(FoundCount)

[Søren Dyhr]

Can you explain what this wish means, what kind of labels is this ?

--sd

[Genx]

Just a label that can evaluate an expression directly on a layout.

E.g. if you type =Left(MyField ; 1) It will display "A" where my field contains "Apple"... or =If(Length(MyField)> 4 ; Left(MyField ; 4) & "..." ; MyField) -- Something you might use often on a report which requires an entirely new field to be defined.. As opposed to having to define a calculation field. A very large portion of the fields in my database are calculation fields designed specifically for appearance, it would be easier if i didn't have to create them in the first place.

[Ender]

Maybe the Evaluate() function in a calc would suit you. You'd need one text field and the calc, but they could be reused for different purposes.

[Søren Dyhr]

I had the same thoughts as Mike, Investigate this template ...alright it uses one field - but behaves accoding to which layout it's called from!

By stuffing it in a CF is it pretty portable!

--sd

pling.zip

[Genx]

You know what, i was only JUST thinking about using evaluate right before i clicked the link to come in here : . It's better i guess but... Still have to create multiple fields if i want to evaluate within multiple labels on the same layout... BUT it's better than nothing i guess.

So you guys don't think it would be useful?

[Søren Dyhr]

Oh yes some kind of expansion of @@, ::, ||, // would be welcome indeed.

--sd

[comment]

The best thing, I think, would be to be able to type "$$variable" on the layout and have it evaluated. The engine for this is already there somewhere (e.g. Data Viewer).