Access 2003 - expression using a $

[B. Levien]

I am currently working in a database which was created by someone else. I am
trying to understand some of the expressions used in the reports. One of
them is the expression of =Format$([Course_Date],"yyyy",0,0) (which is
contained in a text box under a group header).

The group header shows just the year. I understand that =Format along with
the "YYYY" means to show the 4 digit year, and that [Course_Date] is using
the Course_Date field in the query.

What does the $ indicate? I know in Excel it means absolute value, but I
haven't been able to figure out what it means in Access.

Thank you.

 

[Jeff Boyce]

The "$" implies a "string" -- the format function is converting a date/time
value to a string, even though that string looks like a number.

Regards

Jeff Boyce
Microsoft Office/Access MVP