Comments on: Problems with FORMAT_STRING, VBA functions and NON_EMPTY_BEHAVIOR http://www.bp-msbi.com/2009/10/problems-with-formatstring-vba/ A practical blog about Microsoft BI tools, techniques and practices written by a developer for other fellow developers. Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:41:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Boyan Penev http://www.bp-msbi.com/2009/10/problems-with-formatstring-vba/comment-page-1/#comment-33 Boyan Penev Tue, 05 Jan 2010 02:02:41 +0000 http://www.bp-msbi.com/2009/10/problems-with-format_string-vba-functions-and-non_empty_behavior/#comment-33 There is no problem if the result set would be used in SSRS - I would definitely apply more complex formatting in the report itself.<br /><br />However, I had the issue with Excel users. I had no control over how they configure Excel and they wanted everything to work with no involvement on their part. Seemingly most of my users prefer to think that way - they do not want to fiddle with settings... There is no problem if the result set would be used in SSRS – I would definitely apply more complex formatting in the report itself.

However, I had the issue with Excel users. I had no control over how they configure Excel and they wanted everything to work with no involvement on their part. Seemingly most of my users prefer to think that way – they do not want to fiddle with settings…

]]> By: Ozziemedes http://www.bp-msbi.com/2009/10/problems-with-formatstring-vba/comment-page-1/#comment-30 Ozziemedes Mon, 04 Jan 2010 16:45:57 +0000 http://www.bp-msbi.com/2009/10/problems-with-format_string-vba-functions-and-non_empty_behavior/#comment-30 Possibly a silly question, but might it be possible to do the formatting on the client side report, rather than in the MDX?<br /><br />I've found that reporting services format strings are more reliable than MDX ones for numeric formatting as described in your post. Excel can be configured to use a custom cell formatter which should also behave properly with the specified format string.<br /><br />My $0.02 only... your mileage may vary.<br /><br />Cheers<br /><br /><br />Ozziemedes Possibly a silly question, but might it be possible to do the formatting on the client side report, rather than in the MDX?

I've found that reporting services format strings are more reliable than MDX ones for numeric formatting as described in your post. Excel can be configured to use a custom cell formatter which should also behave properly with the specified format string.

My $0.02 only… your mileage may vary.

Cheers

Ozziemedes

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