Make it easier to enter dates by accepting a wider

akirk · Post by **akirk** » 17 Nov 2004 22:43

Jane,

Sorry to post this here, but can't see this under processed, though it is on the wish list.

Could you add to this a strong emphasis on being able to enter dates as numbers with spaces between, i.e. 3 4 1832 would be 3rd April 1832 in the UK or 4th of March 1832 in the USA (if there is concern over ordering, then use a check box in prefs).

It is the most instinctive method of entering dates and it is frustrating to have to convert dates to other formats.

Please don't worry about adding this as an additional wish if it could be added as part of the wish currently there...

regards

Alasdair Kirk

ID:647

Tombaston · Post by **Tombaston** » 19 Nov 2004 22:01

I have never seen numeric dates with spaces as a separator before and wouldn't call this instinctive. However if that's what you prefer then it doesn't cause me a problem.

I looked under tools, preferences and on the File Load/Save tab there is an option to define a separator. I tried putting a space in here but when I tried to enter a date in this format FH asked to save as a date phrase. I then tried with - instead of / and again it asked to save a date phrase. the attached shows my attempts at these.

There is one further option to use the default for current locale. So I tried to change this in Control Panel, but the only separators allowed by Windows XP are / . and -. Looks like Microsoft don't want you to do this either.

akirk · Post by **akirk** » 20 Nov 2004 23:11

I tried the same settings, and then read the manual!

They relate to the format of dates as entered in a Gedcom from another program so that FH can recognise them as dates, not as I also first thought - to the format you wish to enter dates within FH.

I wouldn't claim that it is the most intuitive format for printed dates - not at all, one would expect to see hyphens or '/' separators. However, I feel that for typing in dates, it is quickest to use a space as the separator as that is the one key we are automatically used to hitting between each word...

Alasdair Kirk

YouTube · Post by **Jane** » 21 Nov 2004 00:05

Of course if you enter
13 may 2004
that is accepted, as FH can tell which bit is the month.

akirk · Post by **akirk** » 23 Nov 2004 09:38

Yes, that is what I now do, however it is slightly frustrating as date entry would be fastest on the numerical keypad, so having to move between numbers and alpha characters is slightly slower...

Alasdair Kirk

Post by **nsw** » 23 Nov 2004 23:15

Yes but if you are using the numeric keyboard then using the spacebar slows you down too. However, you could use . (decimal point) as a separator and that is on the numeric keyboard too. e.g

20.3.1876

YouTube · Post by **Jane** » 24 Nov 2004 08:33

Following on Nicks thought the / is also on the numeric keyboard

akirk · Post by **akirk** » 25 Nov 2004 17:45

The decimal point does make a good alternative, I will have to see whether I can get used to that[smile]
However, it might still be quite useful to have an option in the properties box allowing the user to select the delimiter within dates...

Alasdair Kirk

ChrisBowyer · Post by **ChrisBowyer** » 26 Jan 2006 13:08

May I put my oar in here too... I frequently cut and paste from other sources into FH, much less error prone than retyping, dates in particular are often mis-interpreted and stored as date phrases. Couldn't the entry of dates be much more tolerant of various punctuation, or th after a number, or whatever After all, if I really want a date phrase I could type the quotes, but that's hardle ever the case.

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