Validating Input Parameter with multiple values?

[hpl2001]

My report excepts a parameter than can have up to 10 discreet values (numbers that identify people). I need to validate the entries in the parameter array, and print a message for each value that is inputted that does not correspond to someone in the database. Is there a straightforward way to accomplish this?

Thanks.

Holly

 

[Ngolem]

well this would have to be evaluated during the running of the report...it cannot be done during parameter entry.

You can restrict the entries by using a dropdown list for data entry.

Is this for some kind of security reasons?? There is some security since the user must have a userID / Password to get onto the database....or perhaps it is to restrict users from certain aspects of the report...if so then a second password may be needed....anyway I am just thinking out loud.

Yes there is a formula that can be developed and placed in the report header that could evaluate the input.

the parameter with multi-input {?Users} acts as an array

Now you can reference this inputted array to a table of values in a subreport (the prefered method)...or hard code acceptable values into the report.

then it is just a matter of cycling through the input array to see if all values are acceptable

I'll use the subreport approach

The subreport would simply collect acceptable names into a shared array called "AcceptableNames" from a table

this subreport should go into a subsection of the report header...unsupressed...and made as thin as possible...the sections of the subreport should be supressed though and the subreport/subsection be made as thin as possible.

the next report header section has the formula

@UserCheck

shared stringvar array AcceptableNames;
numbervar i;
stringvar warning := "The following usernames are not acceptable: ";
numbervar badCount:= 0;

for i = 1 to count({?Users}) do
(
if {?Users} not in AcceptableNames then
(
warning := warning + {?Users} + ", ";
badCount := BadCount + 1
);
);

if badCount > 0 then
//get rid of extra ", "
Left(warning,length(warning)-2)
else
"";

THis will display a wraning if there is a problem data or display a null if there is no problem.

In the section expert for Report header B Check the box "Supress Blank Section" and make the formula field "Can Grow"

Hope this helps

Jim Broadbent
JimBroadbent@hotmail.com

 

[kenhamady]

NGolem,

If you use in a formula you have to shut off the TGML for that post (bottom of reply window). Otherwise the TT forum engine thinks you are putting in Italics. 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

 

[Ngolem]

I wondered how that happened