i'm fairly new to Crystal reports.. it's possible i'm trying to achieve something in a difficult way while an easier way is also available.. if so, please let me know.

 

The report i'm working on uses a field with a selection. The field is of the type datetime and the parameter that should be used to feed the selection is also datetime, and modifying the data structure or view is not possible. However, entering 2009-01-01 00:00:00 is annoying to users.

 

As far as i know, the parameter should really be of the same type as the data field.

 

I'm trying to create a workaround by creating a second parameter of type "date", and then creating a formula which should work like this:

 

{?OriginalParam} := DateTime ({?NewParam},  TimeValue (00, 00,00 ))

 

The formula is included in the report header so it will be fired.

 

However, this solution does not work. CR says there is an error in the formula.

 

Another approach, using the results of a formula as a starting point of a selection also didn't work because in the selection expert I was not able to select the formula, only parameters were allowed.

 

What should I do? The problem can't be that unique??

 

 

If the param is in a filter, they should be interchangeable.  If the param is used in a call to a SQL statement, like a param to a stored proc, then my idea probably won't work. 

 

I don't think that you can change a parameter, because if I remember correctly, the data is retrieved before any formula is executed.  the error could be a type a mismatch.

 

I would try hard coding the time value or just displaying the results of the formula without the assignment, sometimes I find my bonehead mistakes that way.

 

 

You would think that it is not possible due to the sequence of the reading of records but I have done it several times for the same reasoning.

You can actually have the parameter = the formula that converts a field from a datetime to a date without any errors.

I just double checked it to make sure, as sometimes what I thought I had done to fix something may not always be where I ended up