### Picture (string, picture)

Basic and Crystal syntax.

##### Arguments

- String is a text string to be formatted according to the picture format.
- Picture is a text string representing the way you want the characters in the string to be printed.

##### Return

string

##### Action

Picture (string, picture) prints a string or values in a text string in a predetermined format.

##### Typical Uses

Picture can be used to print a string "2065555555" in a telephone number format "(206) 555-5555", or to print other strings in fixed formats.

##### Examples

The following examples are applicable to both Basic and Crystal syntax:

`Picture ({customer.FAX},"(xxx) xxx-xxxx" )`

Prints the values in the Fax field in the format (805) 555-5555, (313) 555-2555, etc.

`Picture ({customer.REGION}, "[xx]")`

Prints the values in the Region field in the format [AK], [CA], etc.

##### Comments

- Picture must be enclosed in quotes.
- Use the character "x" in the mask to designate characters from the string.
- If the database field includes brackets or other formatting, for example (xxx) xxx-xxxx, you will not be able to convert it to xxxxxxx. The parentheses and hyphen will still appear.

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