Help needed with an expression

[Judith]

I am trying to write an expression.

I am looking at a single record having two possibilities. The records have two date fields. A start date and an end date. Some records the start and end date fields have the same date, the other records have different start and end dates.

I need to write and expression that if the start and end date are the same it only displays the start date in an email, but if the start and end date are different I need it to display both dates in the email.

if(dtoc(Courses->Course_Date<>Courses->Course_End_Date), dtoc(Courses->Course_Date)" - "dtoc(Courses->Course_End_Date),dtoc(Courses->Course_Date)

I have been trying for ages to get the expression right, but no luck is this because they are date fields?

At the moment the email displays the start and finish date whether they are the same or not.

Date <<Courses->Course_Date|>> to <<Courses->Course_End_Date|>>

Thank you in advance for any help

Judith Donoghue

[madtowng]

Re: Help needed with an expression

Hi Judith,

I hope this code helps.

Gregg

someVar = if(Courses->CourseDate<>Courses->CourseEnd_Date, dtoc(Courses->CourseDate)+" - "+dtoc(Courses->CourseEnd_Date),dtoc(Courses->CourseDate))

[Judith]

Re: Help needed with an expression

Thanks Gregg, that's brilliant - I struggled for ages with that.

[Judith]

Re: Help needed with an expression

Ah well, it was brilliant and worked fine until I put the expression into the email and now it just displays as the expression preceded with a question mark

Course: Payroll: The Essential Update
Venue: Live Online,Internet
Date: <<?if(Courses->Course_Date<>Courses->Course_End_Date, dtoc(Courses->Course_Date)+" - "+dtoc(Courses->Course_End_Date),dtoc(Courses->Course_Date))>>
Time: 13:00 - 16:30
Places: 2

[madtowng]

Re: Help needed with an expression

Please show the code you're using to setup the email.

[Judith]

Hi,
I use the Alpha Five built-in email client to create the email.

[madtowng]

You would think this should be easy.
During the setup, you can use the subjects xy button to create =if(Courses->Course_Date<>Courses->Course_End_Date, dtoc(Courses->Course_Date)+" - "+dtoc(Courses->Course_End_Date),dtoc(Courses->Course_Date))

If that doesn't do it, please provide a copy of the table and form you are working with.

[Judith]

Thank you for your help, the above is the expression I'm using and it works fine outside of the email, when I 'Insert Mail Merge Expression' within the email, it displays in the body of the email like this <<if(Courses->Course_Date<>Courses->Course_End_Date, dtoc(Courses->Course_Date)+"-"+dtoc(Courses->Course_End_Date),dtoc(Courses->Course_Date))|>>. The only difference being that it adds the double chevrons to the beginning and end of the expression. When I complete the merge the email displays showing the expression preceded with a question mark and all the other fields are filled correctly.

Course	UK VAT and International Trade
Venue	Live Online, Internet
Date	<<?if(Courses->Course_Date<>Courses->Course_End_Date, dtoc(Courses->Course_Date)+"-"+dtoc(Courses->Course_End_Date),dtoc(Courses->Course_Date))>>
Time	13:00:16:30
Delegates	1

[madtowng]

Hi Judith,
I asked for a copy of the table (I just need the structure, not the data) and the form so that I can work with the
same form you're working with.
The image at http://www.youshould-seethis.com/imageforJudith.png shows where I would put the code.
I've confirmed this is available in V11 as well as V12(aka Alpha Anywhere).
I'm sure you've noticed the new format of this forum was rushed without testing basic functions (uploading files) or even asking
the users about some features we rely on. With that said, I am willing to help out. Sometimes the best initial contact is a phone call (608)345-2697.
This allows for a better exchange of information.

Gregg

[Ted Giles]

I created just 2 fields and tested the display for similar and different dates.
It works if you use a Variable in the email, Judith.
You can create the variable using the courses calculation as written, then it prints out fine;
I cannot send an image as the image upload section isn't working for me anyway.

Send me a PM with your email and I will let you have an example. As Greg said - this new Forum is only partially tested.

[Judith]

Hi Greg,

The expression goes into the body of the email it's not the subject line. Sorry for not getting back to you sooner, this working from home is providing a few headaches.

[madtowng]

Judith,
This is where it would help a lot to see what you're working with (especially the component).
I'm sure there's a solution, but it is often different depending on where the problem is coming from.

[Judith]

Hi Greg,

I have created a pdf showing the set layout and the table in question. I apologise if I appear a bit dim in all this, I have used Alpha desktop in its various guises for a long time, but I'm not an IT person and pretty much self taught.

Thank you for your help. I would attach the document if it would let me, can I email it to you ?

Judith

[madtowng]

Absolutely. [email protected].
It would be far more helpful if you could add the enough of your project that
I can see the form/report/grid/ux that is causing the problem.
It would mean I can actually see what you're trying to do and work with that.
IF nothing else, I take calls at 608-345-2697. We can talk through the issue in
real-time and have a easier time working a solution.

[Ted Giles]

Judith. So did the variable solution I sent you not work on your application?
@Greg. I set up a variable calculated from the start and end dates and used it in the body of the email. Showed fine.
But, I used the default email client not the Alpha one.