Controlling the change group expert command using formula?

[lisze]

Hi,

I'm only a beginner and is now using CR8.5 but creating report for CRv7. I have 2 groups in the report, A and B. There is a parameter to control which group to show when the report is run.

When A is shown, I want the the results to group by "Name" first whereas when B is shown, I want the results to group by date first.

Currently, the change group expert command groups the report according to the order from top to bottom and I have set the order to group by "Name" first. So A turns out fine in this case, but when B is shown, it will still be grouped by "Name" first which is not what I want:

Current output for A:
Peter 17-March-02
18-March-02
John 17-March-02
18-March-02
:
Required output for A:
17-March-02
18-March-02
:

Is there a variable that I can use like:
If (A) then group_expert_command = groups "Name" first
else if (B) then group_expert_command = groups "Date" first

Or does anyone have a better solution?

Thanks,
LS

 

[dgillz]

Use a parameter field with default values of "By Date" and "By Name", then create a formula field based on the parameter as follows:

If {?Parm}="By Name" then {Name} else {date}

Then group by this formula fireld. One will group by date and one by name. Software Support for Macola, Crystal Reports and Goldmine
dgillz@juno.com

 

[kenhamady]

Don't forget that an If-Then can't be:

then -string-
else -date-

You will have to convert the date to character, and make sure that it still sorts as a date (yyyy-MM-dd). Ken Hamady, On-site Custom Crystal Reports Training & Consulting
Public classes and individual training.
Guide to using Crystal in VB

http://www.kenhamady.com/

tek@kenhamady.com

 

[lisze]

Thanks! But the funny thing is I am unable to group by the new formula field for group A...the OK button is disabled no matter what I changed in the "Change Group Options" box. Is this caused by formulas in my report?

 

[lisze]

Got it, I just combined them together as one group.