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ASP.NET - VB - using String.Format for Custom Number formatting

I am needing some help. I've been stuck on this too long not to ask now.

I have the following code in a GridView:

    <asp:TemplateField HeaderText="Report No." SortExpression="Reference_No">
                        <ItemTemplate>
                            <asp:Literal ID="LitRefNo" runat="server" Text='<%# String.Format("{0:##-######}", Int64.Parse(Eval("Reference_no").ToString()))%>' />
                        </ItemTemplate>
                    </asp:TemplateField>

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The field Reference_No can contain 7-10 digits. Is there a way to dynamically keep appending the end of the string if the number is actually longer than 7 digits? (Mostly 8-9 digits are used)

Example:
Reference # may contain: 070006786
And output as: -70006786 or 7-0006786 if I removed a placeholder #
The correct output should be: 07-0006786
However the string length may change to be a number like:
90005372 (which I would want formated as: 90-005372)

I have also tried creating a function to check the length but I get errors regarding parsing a databinded field using Eval.

 'Public Function FormatReport(RepNum) As String
    '    If Len("Reference_No") = 8 Then
    '        String.Format("{0:##-######}", Int64.Parse(Eval("Reference_no").ToString()))
    '    Else
    '        String.Format("{0:##-#######}", Int64.Parse(Eval("Reference_no").ToString()))
    '    End If
    'End Function

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Any help is a appreciated! Please let me know if I am not clear in explaining my requirements.

Britt

AndyAinscow

Does something like this do what you want?
String.Format("{0:0#-######}"

Britt Priddy Jr

ASKER

I have actually tried that and all it does it prepend the number with a 0.
It's crazy that I'm stuck on something that seems it would be simple.

Varied length string of numbers anywhere from 7 to 10 characters and I simply want to add a dash after to first two numbers. I am sure there is another function available to use or to add to to accomplish this. I just can't think of it.

it_saige

Honestly, what you are attempting is not best suited by using an integer type (you can check to ensure that it is an integer by using either an integer parse method or regular expression). The reason I say this is because the parse method will strip off any leading zeros. In reality you want to use a substring based method; something like:

Imports System.Text.RegularExpressions

Module Module1
	Sub Main()
		Dim testCases As List(Of String) = New List(Of String) From {"070006786", "90005372", "0123456789", "01234567", "12345678", "00123456", "00012345", "NonMatches", "123", "1234567890987654321"}

		Console.WriteLine("Using an Integer Parse Method:")
		For Each testCase In testCases
			UsingIntegerParse(testCase)
		Next

		Console.WriteLine()

		Console.WriteLine("Using a Regular Expression Match Method:")
		For Each testCase In testCases
			UsingRegularExpressionMatch(testCase)
		Next

		Console.ReadLine()
	End Sub

	Sub UsingIntegerParse(ByVal source As String)
		Dim temp As Integer = -1
		If Integer.TryParse(source, temp) AndAlso (source.Length >= 7 AndAlso source.Length <= 10) Then
			Console.WriteLine("{0}-{1}", source.Substring(0, 2), source.Substring(2, source.Length - 2))
		End If
	End Sub

	Sub UsingRegularExpressionMatch(ByVal source As String)
		Dim matches As MatchCollection = (New Regex("[0-9]{7,10}")).Matches(source)
		If matches.Count = 1 Then
			Console.WriteLine("{0}-{1}", matches(0).Value.Substring(0, 2), matches(0).Value.Substring(2, matches(0).Value.Length - 2))
		End If
	End Sub
End Module

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Which produces the following output -

-saige-

Britt Priddy Jr

ASKER

Thanks saige!
I believe you know exactly what I am trying to do.
This is also true:

The reason I say this is because the parse method will strip off any leading zeros.

It has been stripping off the leading zeros and I had no idea why.

How would I implement this into some type of function that would reference the field I am trying to format in a dynamic manner. i.e., adding the - (dash) after the first two digits and allow however many left spill out after. I am doing this in a web application in VB (.aspx)

The code I show in my Gridview seems so simple but being not all numbers in that field are the same length - bottlenecked me. My lack use / knowledge / keeping up has me stumped on how to even implement what you've provided, which works and is exactly the results I am looking for.

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it_saige

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Britt Priddy Jr

ASKER

Awesome -saige-!!! I really appreciate your help as well as helping me understand.
This work perfectly and is exactly what I was trying to accomplish.
Great job and thanks again!

Britt Priddy Jr

ASKER

Extremely quick to understand needs and able to provide examples you can understand and learn from. Very intelligent expert!
I really appreciate you help.

it_saige

Glad to be of assistance.

-saige-