ConvertCharFieldToDate

[Kory]

Hi,
I need to convert a character field to a date field in report studio. I am putting this code in the expression editor box ==> cast([Shipping Date],DATE) and I get an error. What am I doing wrong? The consultant that built the package I am using defined this field as a char. The date will only display like this 20060810. My boss wants it to display like this August 10 2006. Can someone please help me with this?
Thank you in advance!

[Boris-A]

It would help to know the kind of database you have behind that (for the data, not the content store).

???

[Kory]

Hi Boris,
SQL Server

[Kory]

Is it okay to go into Framework Manager and change the Data Type to Date Time and usage to Identifier without doing any harm?

[Blue]

No you can't just change the datatype in FM.  In fact I don't think FM will let you.

Create another column in the query subject that will a DATETIME column.  Modify the SQL to use CONVERT(), CAST() or DB specific data functions to convert the CHAR col to a DATE.

In Oracle I have:

Select MONTH_NUM,
       To_date(To_char(MONTH_NUM) || '01','YYYYMMDD') As MONTH_BEGIN_DT,
       CURRENT_IND
From  [EPM].PS_TNT_CURR_MONTH

[Kory]

Thank you! I didn't realize I had to drag a query calculation to the report. I was trying to use the cast_timestamp function in the filter expression box. When the filter box is open there is a list of available functions. I thought if the functions were made available I could use them in that editor.