Extract Initials

[gsmithmme]

I know I am being daft here, but I cannot locate this anywhere. I am using Crystal 8.5 on a Paradox database. I have field that contains either a first name and last name, as well as an "Unknown" (that's the actual text). So examples would be

Greg Smith
Fred Bloggs
Unknown
!Default

I would like to extract the first name letter and the last name letter, so the above would be

GS
FB
UK (that's the tricky one I think)
None selected (if it starts with ! then it's none selected)

Any help would be appreciated. I have been searching through posts and I am surprised I cannot find it.

Thanks.

 

[pmax9999]

Hi gsmithmme

I am using a later version of CR, but from my (fading) recollwection of 8.5, I think this will still work:

If {table.field} = 'Unknown'
Then 'UK'
Else
If {table.field} [1] <> '!'
Then Split({table.field}, ' ')[1][1] + Split({table.field}, ' ')[2][1]

The data will need to be consistently in the format of 2 names separated ib a single space though. Any variation on that will require a bit of fine tuning.

Hope it helps

Cheers
Pete

 

[gsmithmme]

Awesome! Thanks Pete! .. Now saved in my personal FAQ!

 

[gsmithmme]

Ok. I was nearly there...

Turns out they have some 1 name people in the field. I accounted for the 1 or 2 instances, but in addition to

Fred Bloggs
Greg Smith
Doreen

So... I figured out how you did the 2 names, and I think I can figure it if 3, but what about 1 name?

 

[pmax9999]

Hi gsmithmme

This should work for you:

If {table.field} = 'Unknown'
Then 'UK'
Else
If Trim({table.field})[1] <> '!'
Then If UBound(Split(Trim({table.field}), ' ')) = 1
Then Trim({table.field})[1]
Else Split(Trim({table.field}), ' ')[1][1] + Split(Trim({table.field}), ' ')[2][1]

I have alos included the Trim function to deal with leading or trailing spaces that are likely to be encountered.

Hope this helps.

Cheers
Pete

 

[gsmithmme]

Helps Immensely Pete! (sorry, out of the country for a couple days!)

Thanks so much!
Greg