Setting default formats for Date, Time, and Date/Time fields

The following procedures first describe how to specify standard formats for Date, Time, and Date/Time fields, and then describe how to customize the formats for such fields.

Note:    These default settings will affect only the objects that you subsequently add to a report. To format fields that you've already added to a report, you must right-click the field in the report and select Format Field from the shortcut menu.

To set standard default formats for Date, Time, and Date/Time fields
  1. On the File menu, click Options.
  2. In the Options dialog box, click the Fields tab.
  3. To open the Format Editor, click the button appropriate to the field you want to format (Date, Time, or Date/Time).

    Note:    If you click the Date/Time button in the Format Editor, then any subsequent changes will affect Date/Time fields only. You must click Date or Time to format independent date fields or time fields.

  4. In the Format Editor dialog box, click the Date / Time tab.
  5. Select a predefined format from the list (or click Customize to create your preferred format). When you click a new format, you can preview the results in the Sample area of the Format Editor.

    Note:    From the list of predefined formats, you can choose the System Default settings to ensure that Crystal Reports uses the formats dictated by Windows. You can alter your system's settings in the Regional Settings Properties dialog box, located in the Control Panel.

  6. Once you've selected a format, click OK in the Format Editor dialog box.
  7. Click OK in the Options dialog box.

Now, when you add Date, Time, or Date/Time fields to a report, Crystal Reports should use the format you specified.

To customize formats for Date, Time, and Date/Time fields
  1. On the File menu, click Options.
  2. In the Options dialog box, click the Fields tab.
  3. Open the Format Editor by clicking the button appropriate to the field you want to format (Date, Time, or Date/Time).
  4. In the Format Editor dialog box, click the Date / Time tab.
  5. Click Customize to open the Custom Style dialog box.

    Note:    If you chose to format Date/Time fields at Step 3, then you will see three tabs in the Custom Style dialog box (Date/Time, Date, and Time). The formats specified in these tabs apply only to the two elements of Date/Time fields, and will not affect the formats specified for independent date fields or time fields.

  6. Create your preferred format by adjusting the various options in the Custom Style dialog box.
  7. Once you've finished designing your format, click OK in the Custom Style dialog box.
  8. Click OK in the Format Editor dialog box.
  9. To format another type of field, click the appropriate button in the Options dialog box. Otherwise, click OK to return to Crystal Reports.

Now, when you add Date, Time, or Date/Time fields to your reports, Crystal Reports should use the customized format that you created.



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