Report Parameters

[Laurie]

Hi,

I am setting up some reports for the users to run and they will have to
input a start date and an end date. Is there a way to format the date so
that they do not have to enter slashes or dashes in the date and just have
them enter mmddyy?

Thank you

 

[Klatuu]

Assuming you are using a Text Box, use the Input Mask property of the text
box. If you are using an Input Box, you have to do the formatting
programmatically after the value is entered by the user.

 

[Laurie]

I am using a text box. I tried using mm/dd/yy in the Inupt Mask and I also
tried using 99/99/99;0 in the input mask with both methods I received the
message "This expression is typed incorrectly, or it is too complex to be
evaluated. For example, a numeric expression may contain too many
complicated elements. Try simplifying the expression by assigning parts of
the expression to variables."

Also there were no slashes automatically put into the parameter.

Thank you,

 

[Klatuu]

The wizard should guide you through it. Without being there, I can't see
exactly what your problem is.

 

[Larry Linson]

Instead of using a Text Box, I am often able to use a query to extract the
distinct dates from the data, and choose it from a Combo Box... then put it
into the WhereCondition of a DoCmd.OpenReport. Why is a particular format
important... are your date values stored as text? I also just haven't had
problems with users typing in dates, either, and dates are just about the
only field on which I _ever_ use an Input Mask.

Because they are far, far more trouble than they are worth, and I never give
users direct access to Queries, I "don't do parameter queries", ever.

Larry Linson
Microsoft Office Access MVP

 

[Laurie]

The users don't have access to the queries, only the reports. They want to
be able to just open the report and when the parameter for the date comes up
they want the slashes to already be there so that they only have to enter the
date as mmddyy (for example the user of the report just types in 010109). I
have tried using an input mask to have the slashes automatically appear in
the report parameter but when I tried this I got the error message I posted
below.

Thank you,