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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 value
	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 

