Date Format in Calculation

[steigrafx]

I have a number of calculated fields, each representing a paragraph.  The paragraphs are used to populate a report.  Merge fields are included in the calculations.

 

Some of the merge fields are dates.  They are displaying as, for example, 3/23/2013.  I need them to display as March 23, 2013.  I am using the following functions to display the dates as desired:

 

MonthName (Date_Petition_Verified_1750_DAJ) & " " & DayOfWeek (Date_Petition_Verified_1750_DAJ) & ", " & Year (Date_Petition_Verified_1750_DAJ

 

Is there a more simple way to do this?  I can't seem to find a single function to accomplish this.

 

Thanks,

Kevin

[bruceR]

1. That function does not give the correct result. You want this:

 

MonthName (Date_Petition_Verified_1750_DAJ) & " " & Day (Date_Petition_Verified_1750_DAJ) & ", " & Year (Date_Petition_Verified_1750_DAJ

 

2. We would have to see more of your paragraph format. You may want to use let statements and substitution, for instance. Or - supposing the above calc is defined for the field LongDate then your paragraph would be something like:

 

Dear <<ClientName>>: Congratulations, our records shown that on <<LongDate>> you won the lottery again!

[LaRetta]

" I can't seem to find a single function to accomplish this."

How about skip the function and use layout formatting?

If the dates ( within same merge block ) share the same formatting then you can format them Inspectpr > Data tab and at bottom ... just select the date and select your format or specify custom. You can easily specify March 23, 2013.

[steigrafx]

Bruce, thank you.  You are of course correct.

 

LaRetta, I had the same thought but what I've done is taken a number of paragraphs with merges and "built" a variable  into the entire document and then use SetField to insert that variable into a text field, and that text field is on the layout.  The inspector won't let me format the field with date formatting.  I'll try your suggestion and place the variable directly on the layout.

 

Thank you both,

Kevin

[steigrafx]

LaRetta, I tried placing the variable directly on the layout.  The inspector let me format it as "December 25, 2003", but the dates still display as 12/25/2003.  In addition, placing the variable directly on the layout won't work for me since I need to have the layout available for editing because sometimes there are widows or orphans and the user needs to make a minor adjustment to the document prior to printing.  When I tried it your way, I wasn't able to edit it...or am I doing something wrong?

 

Thanks,

Kevin

[LaRetta]

No, you would need to place the dates independently within the merge. Text can't be formatted with date attributes but merge field with text and date within same block can ... glad you got it working.

Just saw your response ... "The inspector let me format it as "December 25, 2003", but the dates still display as 12/25/2003. "Not sure - would help to see it. It might not work but it might just need refresh. Do Records > Refresh window.

[steigrafx]

Thanks again, LaRetta.  It's actually working fine now.  I was just thinking that maybe Filemaker had a single function to accomplish what the three separate functions do.

 

I have a second question, but it's probably best if I start a new post -- I don't want to get yelled at!

 

Thanks,

kevin