Display last 10 lines of text if text exceeds 10 lines

[ERob]

We are using crystal reports and a access database to track current project. We sometimes put large amounts of data into this. We have created a report to make available to other departments, but sometimes the long lasting projects have to much data. What I am looking for is something that will allow me to limit a field to 10 lines, if the field is larger than 10 lines, insert the last 10 lines. Is that clear?? Thanks for any help.

Rob

 

[HowardHammerman]

I am assuming that you are talking abount a memo field.
I am sure you know that Crystal already has a way to limit the display to the FIRST N lines. Your problem is different.

I think the best way is to create a formula field using a DO loop and an array.

The logic would work someting like this:

stringvararray proj;
numbervar charkount := length(trim({table.field}));
numbervar lines := truncate(charkount/40 ) ;
numbervar kount := 1;
for kount := 1 to lines do
(proj[kount] := {table.field}[kount to kount +40]);
if remainder(charkount,40)>0 then
(proj[lines+1] := {table.field}[lines+41 to charkount];
lines := lines +1
stringvar output;
for kount := kount - 10 to lines do
(output := output +proj[kount]);
output

Place the resulting formula field in your report and format it as required. In the above I assumed a line of 40 characters. adjust as required. Items I did not deal with:

What about memo field with less than 10 lines?
What about dividing words in the middle?

I bet Ken Hammady will respond with some nifty ideas.

Howard

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