Re: SQL*REPORT &SQL to_char(: date_variable

I am trying to convert a date field in sql*report to a specific format. In one of my QUERIES I select date_variable from table. Then in my Fields I have
date_variable date MM/DD/YY
I want to print that date in a format that is to be determined at run time. In testiing this I find that if, in Fields, I have

field_name source

output_form &SQL SELECT :date_variable into output_form from dual

the result is output in 1993mmdd format.

changing the &SQL to
select to_char(:date_variable) into output_form from dual

produces the same.

changing to

select to_char(:date_variable,'MM/DD/YY') into output_form from dual produces ORACLE error 1481 "invalid TO_CHAR format string!

I'm really stumped! any suggestions?

I want to have in PARMS

date_format (default) 'MM/DD/YY'
and would then have the sql above as

select to_char(:date_variable,:date_format) into ....

output_form is defined as CHAR.

Thanks in advance.

-- 
Bruce Arbuckle                                    EMAIL: brucea_at_atlastele.com