Text Formula is Null in Group summary

[lauriesamh]

I'm using CR8.5.
I have a formula (@Name) to put a person's first, MI and last name together in the Group Header for the person's ID.

The @Name is a Summary (Maximum) of @Name in the detail record as there are occasions when two ID's are used for a person and their dependant.

Occasionally a person has no Middle Initial which causes Summary of @Name to be blank in the Group header. I tried to go around this with a second formula @MiddleInitial with no luck. Any ideas to do a maximum summary on a text formula?

@Name
{TableName.First}&" "&{@MiddleInitial}&" "&{TableName.Last}

@MiddleInitial
WhilePrintingRecords;
StringVar MiddleName:="";

If IsNull ({TableName.Middle}) then MiddleName:="" else
MiddleName:={TableName.Middle};

 

[lbass]

You don't need to use a variable for middle name. Try:

If IsNull ({TableName.Middle}) then "" else
{TableName.Middle}

Then your first formula should work except you will have an extra space. You might want to eliminate the second space and change {@middlename} to:

If IsNull ({TableName.Middle}) then "" else
{TableName.Middle}+" "

-LB

 

[kskid]

Since my names are in one name file, here's a standard I use whenever I have a need for a Name in a report.

//Last, First Middle from MASTER_NAMES

stringvar n;

if isnull({MASTER_NAMES.LNAME}) then
    n := "Unknown"
else
    n := {MASTER_NAMES.LNAME};
if isnull({MASTER_NAMES.FNAME}) then
    n := n & ", Unknown"
else
    n := n & ", " & {MASTER_NAMES.FNAME};
if isnull({MASTER_NAMES.MNAME}) then
    n := n
else 
    n := n & " " & {MASTER_NAMES.MNAME};
n

 

[lauriesamh]

Wow you guys are fantastic! Thanks for the quick response!!!!

LBass actually provided the best solution for my needs, but thank you both!

 

[kskid]

You are welcome!

Similarly, I use basically the same process when creating an address where I could have blanks in any one of the fields

Street_Number
Street_Direction
Street_Name
Street_Type
Street_Direction2
Apt_Number
City
State
ZIP

123 S 31st St S #123 AnyCity, KS 12345-1234

Cheers,
-LW

 

[synapsevampire]

I see no use of a maximum in your formula, so the solution doesn't seem to address the issue of the maximum.

You might try:
iif(isnull({table.middlename},{table.firstname}&" "&{table.lastname},{table.middlename},{table.firstname}&" "&{table.middlename}&" "&{table.lastname})

Generally if numerous names are used in a table there's a datestamp which identifies the most recent, a maximum will not assure that you have the latest unless you have a date stamp, and names can change over time as a result of marriage, etc.

-k

 

[kskid]

Not sure about lauriesamh but in my database, I've already performed a record selection of primary name ({Type="P"). All other names for the same person are considered Aliases ({Type}="A") in which case I have Master_Names_1 alias table for alias names.

-LW

 

[lauriesamh]

Thanks again for all your input.

LW - we don't have Aliases in our Database at present. But thanks for the info!

synapsevampire - Thanks for the other solution!

All - have a great day.