Using Aliases in Expressions

Using Aliases in Expressions

Aliases can make it easier to understand expressions in reports. If you have a variable called “VariableA” and you have set an alias for it to “VA,” the variable can be referenced by Name OR Alias.

By Name:

{VariableA}

By Alias:

{[VA]}

Syntax – Variables

Square brackets are optional unless you are using characters that are not permitted under VB.Net or C#, in which case, square brackets are mandatory.

Examples of VALID aliases:

  1. {VariableA}
  2. {VariableAndVariableB}
  3. {[Variable and VariableB]}
  4. {[Variable&Values]}
  5. {[Variable-First]}

Examples of INVALID aliases:

  1. {Variable and Value} – Spaces are illegal characters.
  2. {Variable&Value} – The ampersand is an illegal character. 

Syntax – Data

The same rule is used when creating the names of data sources and columns. When referring to the data column, only a part with incorrect characters for identifiers should be bracketed. Examples:

  1. {DataSource.[Data Column]}
  2. {[Data-Source].DataColumn}
  3. {[Data=Source].[Data=Column]}

    • Related Articles

    • Using Expressions in the Rich Text Editor of Report Designer

      The articles in this section of the Knowledge Base involve working with Rich Text for display in your reports. To learn more about the Rich Text editor, and how to access this section within the Report Designer, see An Introduction to the Rich Text ...

    • Using Functions in Expressions

      Built-in Functions There is a variety of built-in functions available in the Report Designer. These functions can be accessed directly from the data dictionary, or from within the Expression Editor. Here is an example of a built-in function: ...

    • Multi Line Expressions

      Multiple lines of text can be produced in a report by a single expression. To create a multi-line expression, insert a line feed before any new line. To do this, press the Enter key at the appropriate place in the code editor. There is no limit to ...

    • Text Expressions

      Text expressions are the simplest expressions. Here are some examples: SampleText 54321 Example All of the expressions above are strings, and there are no calculations. These expressions would be printed as they have been defined. These types of ...

    • Using Data Fields in Expressions

      Expressions can contain values from data sources. A string representation of the field is used to reference that field from the data source. The proper syntax for the reference is the name of the data source and the field name with a full-stop ...

    • Recent Articles

    • Microvellum Foundation Library Release Notes | Build 26.0527

      The following release notes apply to the Microvellum Foundation Library build 26.0527. Additions Added new features for the Wood Drawer Box to have reduced sides, sub front, or back. Added 3 new global and subassembly prompts: “Wood Drawer Side ...

    • Microvellum Release Notes | Build 26.1.0529.641

      The following release notes apply to Microvellum build 26.1.0529.641. BSB Docking Size Fix An issue was reported to be occurring in Microvellum BSB 2026: when adjusting the size of a docked Microvellum palette, users found that the palette would ...

    • Adding Custom Hinges and Mounting Plates (Foundation Library)

      Hinges and mounting plates are classified as hardware items within the Foundation library, and as such, the process for adding hinges and mounting plates does not differ greatly from other pieces of hardware, though with the variety of cabinet ...

    • Apply Render Materials

      The Apply Render Materials interface is a Microvellum function that allows one to assign specific render materials to database materials within one’s material library. Using this interface, one can efficiently control and visually align one’s ...

    • Microvellum Release Notes | Build 26.1.0520.641

      The following release notes apply to Microvellum build 26.1.0520.641. Assign Render Material A new option has been added to the Library Specification Groups interface: Assign Render Material. This new interface displays the Microvellum material ...