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help for ^fns^                                              Version 1/10/96
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Formats a (string containing a) numeric value ---------------------------------------------

^fns^ new old [^, w^idth^(^int 5^) d^ec^(^int 0^)^ | ^da^te^(^string^)^]

Stores a numeric value as a formatted sting in a macro. Programming utility used in programs like ^sumby^ and ^class^.

^Note^ ^----^

Deviation from the usual Stata syntax: ^new^ and ^old^ are ^NOT^ variable names > .

^new^ is the name of a global macro, in which the formatted value will be stored as a string. ^old^ is either a number, a scalar, an expression or the name of global macro that contains a number without blanks.

Options -------

^width()^ specifies the width of the formatted value stored in ^new^. Default 5.

^dec()^ specifies the number of decimals. Default 0.

^date()^ must specify a date format, e.g. ^%d^. If ^date()^ is specified the va > lue in ^old^ is interpreted as an elapsed date and will be stored as a formatted date in ^new^. If ^date()^ is specified ^width^ and ^dec^ are > ignored.

^Author:^ ^-------^ Wim van Putten e-mail: w.vanputten@@erasmusmc.nl