Datatype appears as String when its defined as a Number

[huytonscouser]

I have a field which is a number(its a formula created from a number field in an oracle 10g db i.e. {table.field}/1024/1024), when i export the report to .xls or .xlsx and verify in excel it is a number, and i sum, etc, etc.
But whenever i try and create a report with the same .xls or .xlsx(defined via a odbc) the field type is always string. the field is defined in crystal as number -1123.00. I've tried leaving as "system default number format"

I have other number fields in the report, they export fine.

i'm baffled.

thanks for any help.

 

[Madawc]

Crystal does many things for you, mostly things you want, but occasionally not. Sometimes it gets a fixed idea and will not be moved.

I'd suggest creating a formula field and using ToNumber to confirm its data type.

Madawc Williams (East Anglia, UK). Using Crystal 2008 with SQL and Windows XP

 

[huytonscouser]

After investigation, this is the problem.
The field in oracel is indeed a number and so is the resulting formula {table.field}/1024/1024
But the oracle field can contain a null value, and if that null value is in the 1st row, then the field/my formula is
defaulting to a string when exported.

when i make my formula

if isnull({table.field}) then 0 else {table.field}/1024/1024)

the problem is resolved.