Defining a Data Type Format

You can create a new data format used for dates, numbers, or text. This new format can be set as a default throughout Certify and applied to a variable or a value before the variable or value is executed in a step.

Using Locale-Specific Date and Number Formats

To use locale-specific date and number formats, you need to create a new data type format. When you use locale-specific data formats, Certify checks your operating system locale, and the appropriate format is used. By using locale variables, you can create processes that execute consistently against the application, regardless of your locale. For more information on these formats, Setting Specific Locale Data Formats.

To create a data type format:

1. In the Navigation pane, click Processes.

The Processes window opens.

2. In the Summary pane, right-click a process and select Edit or double-click on a process.

The Process Editor opens.

3. From the toolbar menu, select Tools > Data Type Formats.

   The Formats dialog opens.

4. Right-click in the dialog and select New Format.

The New Format dialog opens.

5. From the Type drop-down list, select a format:
6. Number
7. Date

6. In the Name text field, enter a name. Names can have a maximum of 100 characters. Special characters are allowed, and you can include numbers in names.

7. In the Format text field, enter the new format.

   If you are creating a number format, use one of the following format characters to create your own format:

   Format	Format Pattern
   Currency	C
   Decimal Integer	D
   Scientific	E
   Fixed Point	F
   Hexadecimal	X
   Zero Pad (10)	0000000000 ##########
   Fraction (5-digit precision)	# #####
   Standard

   If you are creating a date format, use one of the following format patterns to create your own format:

   Format	Format Pattern
   d	Day of the month Single-digit days do not have a leading zero. Use a lowercase "d" for day.
   dd	Day of the month Single-digit days should have a leading zero. Use a lowercase "d" for day.
   ddd	Abbreviated name of the day of the week Use a lowercase "d" for day.
   dddd	Full name of the day of the week Use a lowercase "d" for day.
   M	Numeric month Single-digit months do not have a leading zero. You must use a capital "M" to indicate month.
   MM	Numeric month Single-digit months do not have a leading zero. You must use a capital "M" to indicate month.
   MMM	Abbreviated name of the month You must use a capital "M" to indicate month.
   MMMM	Full name of the month You must use a capital "M" to indicate month.
   yy	Year without the century Use a lowercase "y" for year.
   yyyy	Year in four digits, including the century. Use a lowercase "y" for year.

8. If you want to make this new format the default format for this data type, select the Set as default option.
9. In the Test Value text field, enter a test value in order to test the new format.
10. Click Apply Format.

The result of the test appears in the Result field.

11. Click OK to save the format.

To edit a data type format:

1. From the Process Editor, select Tools > Data Type Formats.

   The Formats dialog opens.

2. Right-click a format and select Edit.
3. Apply your edits.
4. After you have completed your edits, click OK.

 

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