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Insufficient Field Lengths

When you sum the values of a numeric field and the resulting amount is too large to display, FOCUS will display the value as asterisks (*****). This may occur if you are summing data for a large span of time, if you are reporting on systemwide data, or even if you are reporting for a large campus.

 

In the example below, the designated format for gross pay (PH:GROSSPAY) is P12.2M.  Translation:  Packed decimal, 12 characters in length, displayed with 2 decimal places and a floating dollar sign.  To view the format for a given field, refer to the CIRS Data Element Dictionary​.

 

Report Request:

Results:

EX PH

TABLE FILE PH

SUM PH:GROSSPAY

END

PH:GROSSPAY

-----------

  *********

 

If the field to be increased is part of the verb phrase, you can change the length simply by specifying a new format immediately after the fieldname.  In the example below, the length is changed from 12  to 16.  Note:  To change the length of a sort field, you must use a define.  Refer to your FOCUS documentation for more information.

 

Report Request:

Results:

EX PH

TABLE FILE PH

SUM PH:GROSSPAY/P16.2M

END

     PH:GROSSPAY

     -----------

 $210,715,126.43

 

Warning!  When you create hold files, be sure to verify the results before using the hold file as part of a match request.  Otherwise, if your field lengths are not sufficient, the resulting data will be erroneous and FOCUS may NOT display an error message.  For example:

 

Report Request:

Results:

EX PH

TABLE FILE PH

SUM PH:GROSSPAY

ON TABLE HOLD AS PERMRPT

END

NUMBER OF RECORDS IN TABLE = 79159

 

HOLDING...

>

 

To quickly verify the data in your hold file, execute a request that uses a wildcard.  For example:  

 

Report Request:

Results:

TABLE FILE PERMRPT

PRINT *

END

PH:GROSSPAY

-----------

   ********




Last Updated: February 27, 2024​