How to Work with Processes > Working with the Variable Processes Group > Working with Variable Format String Process

Process Purpose

The Variable Format String process is used to format the string inside a variable.

Check the provided Variable Format String examples at the end of the topic.

When you add a process, you are required to define its settings. This occurs in the process's properties window which is displayed automatically after having added the Variable Format String process.

If any subsequent edition is required, double-click the process to open its properties window and enter the necessary modifications.

Fill in the following options:

Source Variable to Format
Click to select the variable with the string to be formatted. See Variable Definition.
Format Rules
Change Case	Select a case (“None”, “Make Lower Case” or “Make Upper Case”).
Trim Left	Select what to trim to the left (“None”, “Spaces” or “Spaces & Zeroes”).
Trim Right	Select what to trim to the right (“None”, “Spaces” or “Spaces & Zeroes”).
Fill Rules
Fill On	Define the characters that will fill the variable to be formatted. Select between “None”, “Left” or “Right”. If either "Left" or "Right" are selected, it enables the next two options ("Fill Character" and "Total Length").
Fill Character	This option only becomes active if the "Left" or "Right" options are selected in the "Fill On" box. Select the character to fill the variable to format ("Blank" or"Zeroes"). It is also possible to select a character from within a variable. Click to access a list and select a variable.
Total Length	This option only becomes active if the "Left" or "Right" options are selected in the "Fill On" box. Select the length of characters that will be filled in the variable to be formatted. Insert the number in the corresponding box.
Preview
Displays a default format preview according to the selected options. Click to edit/customize the formatted preview. Click again to view the edited format preview result.
Store Result into Variable
Click to select the variable that will receive the formatted result. See To Select/Create a Variable.

If required, use the icon on the upper right corner of the properties window:

Use the icon to attach any relevant notes to this process. Click it and enter your notes in the resulting text box. These notes will be displayed in the corresponding "Actions" tab or "Process" window (in the "Notes" field) and in the "Developer Report".

After filling in the required options, click to conclude or to abort the operation.

The added process is displayed in the corresponding "Actions" tab or "Process" window.

Use the right click in MCL-Designer's input boxes to access certain features regarding the input box's option as well as general actions such as "Copy"; "Paste"; "Search".

Ex: If you right-click the "Variable" input box (included in a "Conversion's" properties window), you are provided with the "Search..."and "Variable Select" options.

If you right-click another input box, it will provide other possibilities.