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300 Formula Editor Chapter 9
Using Functions
Adding Character Arguments and Returning Character Strings
You can create a formula that accepts character arguments or returns character strings and converts the
data type of a value from numeric to character, or character to numeric. When you create these
formulas, note that:
• Character functions can result in either character or numeric data. If you calculate a data type
different from the one specified, the data type of the computed column is automatically changed to
match the result.
• Arguments that are literal character strings must be enclosed in quotation marks.
To build a formula that contains a character function or returns character strings
1 Open the formula editor by right-clicking a column name in the data grid and selecting Formula.
2 Select an expression in the formula editing area by clicking it. (It is selected when there is a red
outline around it.)
3 Click the menu on the function browser and select Character, as shown in Figure 9.11. The
character functions now appear in the list below the menu.
Figure 9.11 Select Character from the Function Browser List
4 Select which function to insert in the formula. For descriptions of each function, see “Character
Functions,” p. 460.
See “Using the Munger Function,” p. 324, for an example.
Matching Character Patterns
You can create a formula that uses pattern-matching on character strings. Pattern matching is a flexible
method for searching and manipulating strings, and regular expressions are also supported. When you
create these formulas, note that:
• First, you define a pattern with one more of the character patterns.
• Then, you use Pat Match to compare a string to the pattern.