Question : Related to Oracle Reports 6i Formula column

My requirement is to display the records with the first column having prefixed with '*' depending on some conditions which are specified in the functional specification.
After i was able to achive this, the new requirement came as to take the parameter as boolean. If suppose the parameter value is Yes then i have to display the records with the first column which is prefixed with '*' only. If i select as No then i have to display all the records independent of '*'.
Now i'll explain this requirement with example using employee table.
I want to dispaly the records with empno which is prefixed with '*' depending on the condition commission is null.
Here i have written the formula column which mentioned below.

function CF_1Formula return Char is
begin
 if(:comm is null) then
       return('*'||:empno);
  else
       return(:empno);
  end if;
 
end;

Now at this moment i can see the records which are prefixed with '*' with the empno.
Now how i should display the records with only '*' when i choose the parameter value as Yes.

Pass a parameter to the function:

function CF_1Formula( p_option in varchar2 ) return Char is
begin
   
If upper(p_option) = 'YES' then
   
   if(:comm is null) then
     return ('*'||:empno);
   else
     return ( null );
   end if;

Else

   if(:comm is null) then
     return ('*'||:empno);
   else
     return (:empno);
   end if;

End if;
end;

This is doing good, but this makes the output as :

 
     empno          ename          salary            deptno
-----------------------------------------------------------------
    *1234           JAMES           20000              10
                        JONES           30000              20
    *2345           JOSEPH         40000              30
                        BILL               50000             10
                        BOTHAM        20000             40
    *3456           EAN               10000             20

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Here in this output , its showing null values for the empno.But we dont want the complete record which doesnt match the crieteria.

Even this could be possible even with a single query,using DECODE or CASE, but it shows the similar result as above.

Pls help me out in this problem.
Thanx

Answer : Related to Oracle Reports 6i Formula column

Hi,
The first CF you did here is just doing the following:
IF :comm is null (No Commission?): PRINT '*' as a prefix for the EmpNo
ELSE (i.e. is not NULL): PRINT the EmpNo without a prefix

Then you added the p_option = 'YES'  OR = 'NO'!
It did nothing but the following:

IF :comm is null (No Commission?): PRINT '*' as a prefix for the EmpNo
ELSE (i.e. is not NULL): PRINT the EmpNo without a prefix

I mean to say your script is just Vanishing the EmpNo or concatenating it to a '*'

What you need to do is the following:

1- Delete your CF_1Formula (No need for it)
2- Put the Fields (empno, ename, salary & deptno) in a frame (by default it will be named as M_1)
3- Add this script to your Format Trigger:

function M_1FormatTrigger return boolean is
begin

  If upper(p_option) = 'YES' then
      if(:comm is null) then
          return (FALSE);
      else
          return (TRUE);
      end if;
  Else
          return (TRUE);
  End if;
end;

I am sure this is OK! But..
.. I am a human bieng ;)
If any mistake don't hesitate to correct or ask!
Bye