The lastname field in our DB is varchar and the software has no constraints. So although it is supposed to be alpha only (no symbols, no numbers), it isn't.

I am attempting to write a custom function in Crystal that will look at the string passed in and return true if the field is not purely alphabetical. I've tried this several ways and I must keep doing something wrong.

At this point, my function always returns false.

My function is below - any ideas? Thanks!

Function Is_NonAlpha(inString AS String) as Boolean
Dim n as Number
n = 1
Dim toReturn as Boolean
toReturn = false

For n = 1 to Len(inString)
    if Not((Mid(inString, n, 1) Like "[A-Za-z( )]")) then
       toReturn = true
    end if
Next

Is_NonAlpha = toReturn

End Function

Great catch! Wasn't even thinking about regular expressions not being supported. Habit there.

It bothers me to actually hard code the non alpha characters, so I took your idea and inverted it. It works now! This is my new function:

Function Is_NonAlpha(inString AS String) as Boolean
Dim n as Number
n = 1
Dim toReturn as Boolean
toReturn = false

For n = 1 to Len(inString)
    Dim myChar as String
    myChar = UCase(Mid(inString, n, 1))
    Dim myAscii as Number
    myAscii = AscW(myChar)

    if myAscii < 65 or myAscii > 90 then
        toReturn = true
        exit For
    End If
Next

Is_NonAlpha = toReturn

End Function