odd, as the space should not have any impact on the formula.
I am still unclear as to why you are using an alert. An alert cannot be emailed and is only a run time message to one user at runtime about the content of the report.
An "exception" type report that pulls in th data you are referring to (e.g. and expiration adte), grouped ont he user (notifee) can generate the content that can actually be emailed.
You can email the report manually. If you want it automated Crystal does not have email capability in it unless you start to move to the server types which is more money and more software.
There may be a free software reviewed on Hammady's site but I am almost positive none would burst a report to multiple dynamic recipients.
I had the same need as you are describing (to be able to email dynamic content to employees based on similar kinds of exceptions reports) and I recommended the solution that I found. I do not work for nor get any money from any sites including this one.