this would seem to be quite simple, but i cannot retrieve anything but null/blank values from Crystal formula fields.
in this instance, the crystal report is wrapped inside VB6 using crystal viewer.
through VB code i can locate formula fields by item number and by name
but the .value property yields nothing.
The code below is baffling to me...the text of the formula is available but not
the value.
is this even possible?

Private Sub getValue(crxReport As Object)
Dim crxFormula As CRAXDRT.FormulaFieldDefinitions
Dim X As String
Dim I As Integer

Set crxFormula = crxReport.FormulaFields
For I = 1 To crxFormula.Count
If crxFormula(I).Name = "{@patient_name}" Then
X = crxFormula(I).Value
MsgBox I & ") " & X & " " & crxFormula(I).Text
End If
Next I

Set crxFormula = Nothing

End Sub

When are you calling the GetValue procedure?

Formulas are typically evaluated for each record in the report. If you call GetValue after the report is generated, there would be no record/data to use.

You need to call the GetValue procedure while the report is being generated.

makes sense, i'll give it a try. thanks