Date Parameter Labels?

I have the usual report with date range parameters (from, to) that I have set
up as datetime format so that users can get the fancy calendar applet. thats
all fine and good. My problem is that I have creative users that like to hand
enter all kinds of date values other than the expected <mm/dd/yyyy> values
and are surprised that they dont return results.
I know I can create code in my sproc to handle all of the various
permutations on the backend, and that is probably the more "user friendly?
way to go, but what I want to know is if there is a way to put a label in the
parameter boxes that will show the expected format. I tried messing with
default parameters, but that didnt work when using a string as a default for
a datetime parameter. All I want is for the lable to show the expected
format, not act as a default value in any way.
If anyone has any ideas, please let me know. Perhaps this will be
functionality in the next version of RS?
Thanks!You can already put whatever label you want for the parameter. In layout
mode, Report Menu->Report Parameters
Bruce Loehle-Conger
MVP SQL Server Reporting Services
"Carl Henthorn" <CarlHenthorn@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:2A0DEA51-68E0-4329-A2AA-2728E456A21F@.microsoft.com...
>I have the usual report with date range parameters (from, to) that I have
>set
> up as datetime format so that users can get the fancy calendar applet.
> thats
> all fine and good. My problem is that I have creative users that like to
> hand
> enter all kinds of date values other than the expected <mm/dd/yyyy> values
> and are surprised that they dont return results.
> I know I can create code in my sproc to handle all of the various
> permutations on the backend, and that is probably the more "user friendly?
> way to go, but what I want to know is if there is a way to put a label in
> the
> parameter boxes that will show the expected format. I tried messing with
> default parameters, but that didnt work when using a string as a default
> for
> a datetime parameter. All I want is for the lable to show the expected
> format, not act as a default value in any way.
> If anyone has any ideas, please let me know. Perhaps this will be
> functionality in the next version of RS?
> Thanks!|||Different kind of label.
I know I can put the format in the NAME of the parameter, but this looks
kind of ugly and is only a last resort. I want to put the format INSIDE the
text box, much like a default value, but have it disappears when typed over
or the calendar applet is used. I dont want it seen by the reporting server
as an actual default value.
"Bruce L-C [MVP]" wrote:
> You can already put whatever label you want for the parameter. In layout
> mode, Report Menu->Report Parameters
>
> --
> Bruce Loehle-Conger
> MVP SQL Server Reporting Services
> "Carl Henthorn" <CarlHenthorn@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:2A0DEA51-68E0-4329-A2AA-2728E456A21F@.microsoft.com...
> >I have the usual report with date range parameters (from, to) that I have
> >set
> > up as datetime format so that users can get the fancy calendar applet.
> > thats
> > all fine and good. My problem is that I have creative users that like to
> > hand
> > enter all kinds of date values other than the expected <mm/dd/yyyy> values
> > and are surprised that they dont return results.
> > I know I can create code in my sproc to handle all of the various
> > permutations on the backend, and that is probably the more "user friendly?
> > way to go, but what I want to know is if there is a way to put a label in
> > the
> > parameter boxes that will show the expected format. I tried messing with
> > default parameters, but that didnt work when using a string as a default
> > for
> > a datetime parameter. All I want is for the lable to show the expected
> > format, not act as a default value in any way.
> >
> > If anyone has any ideas, please let me know. Perhaps this will be
> > functionality in the next version of RS?
> > Thanks!
>
>|||Ahhh, I see. Nope, can't do it. However, if they put in a non-date format
and you have the parameter value as date then RS will tell the user. Not the
best but not the worst error message. For instance: The value provided for
the report parameter 'FromDate' is not valid for its type
I have found most people use a date picker if it is there.
Bruce Loehle-Conger
MVP SQL Server Reporting Services
"Carl Henthorn" <CarlHenthorn@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:0F768D55-C02B-4A3E-BBCA-2EA618B0490F@.microsoft.com...
> Different kind of label.
> I know I can put the format in the NAME of the parameter, but this looks
> kind of ugly and is only a last resort. I want to put the format INSIDE
> the
> text box, much like a default value, but have it disappears when typed
> over
> or the calendar applet is used. I dont want it seen by the reporting
> server
> as an actual default value.
> "Bruce L-C [MVP]" wrote:
>> You can already put whatever label you want for the parameter. In layout
>> mode, Report Menu->Report Parameters
>>
>> --
>> Bruce Loehle-Conger
>> MVP SQL Server Reporting Services
>> "Carl Henthorn" <CarlHenthorn@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:2A0DEA51-68E0-4329-A2AA-2728E456A21F@.microsoft.com...
>> >I have the usual report with date range parameters (from, to) that I
>> >have
>> >set
>> > up as datetime format so that users can get the fancy calendar applet.
>> > thats
>> > all fine and good. My problem is that I have creative users that like
>> > to
>> > hand
>> > enter all kinds of date values other than the expected <mm/dd/yyyy>
>> > values
>> > and are surprised that they dont return results.
>> > I know I can create code in my sproc to handle all of the various
>> > permutations on the backend, and that is probably the more "user
>> > friendly?
>> > way to go, but what I want to know is if there is a way to put a label
>> > in
>> > the
>> > parameter boxes that will show the expected format. I tried messing
>> > with
>> > default parameters, but that didnt work when using a string as a
>> > default
>> > for
>> > a datetime parameter. All I want is for the lable to show the expected
>> > format, not act as a default value in any way.
>> >
>> > If anyone has any ideas, please let me know. Perhaps this will be
>> > functionality in the next version of RS?
>> > Thanks!
>>