If statement using dates - what am I doing wrong?

[carolinemcdonald]

Hello,

I'm trying to categorize generations by using a date of birth field and dates, but I'm getting a malformed statement error and cannot figure out why.  Any help would be appreciated!  Formula is listed below. 

Thanks,

Caroline

If [Date of Birth] <= 1945-12-31 then "Matures (1909 - 1945)"
else if [Date of Birth] >= 1946-01-01 and [Date of Birth] <= 1964-12-31 then "Baby Boomers (1946-1964)"
else if [Date of Birth] >= 1965-01-01 and [Date of Birth] <= 1980-12-31 then "Generation X (1965-1980)"
else if [Date of Birth] >= 1981-01-01 and [Date of Birth] <= 1996-12-31 then "Millennials (1981-1996)"
else if [Date of Birth] >= 1997-01-01 then "Generation Z (1997-present)"
else Null()
endif

[MarqueeCrew]

If [Date of Birth] <= "1945-12-31" then "Matures (1909 - 1945)"
elseif [Date of Birth] >= "1946-01-01" and [Date of Birth] <= "1964-12-31" then "Baby Boomers (1946-1964)"
elseif [Date of Birth] >= "1965-01-01" and [Date of Birth] <= "1980-12-31" then "Generation X (1965-1980)"
elseif [Date of Birth] >= "1981-01-01" and [Date of Birth] <= "1996-12-31" then "Millennials (1981-1996)"
elseif [Date of Birth] >= "1997-01-01" then "Generation Z (1997-present)"
else Null()
endif

or

If [Date of Birth] <= "1945-12-31" then "Matures (1909 - 1945)"
elseif [Date of Birth] <= "1964-12-31" then "Baby Boomers (1946-1964)"
elseif [Date of Birth] <= "1980-12-31" then "Generation X (1965-1980)"
elseif [Date of Birth] <= "1996-12-31" then "Millennials (1981-1996)"
elseif [Date of Birth] >= "1997-01-01" then "Generation Z (1997-present)"
else Null()
endif

Dates are treated like strings, so they need quotes.

Also, if i already know that you were born after 1945-12-31 (else you are matures) do you really need to ask again in the elseif?  I removed those repeat questions in the second logic set.

Cheers,

Mark

[AmeliaG]

Hi @carolinemcdonald,

Thanks for your question! Anytime you are hard-coding a string or date value in an expression, the value must be in quotes. Only numbers do not need quotes around them. Please see an example below:

[DateTime_Out] >= "2018-01-03"

I would double check that your [Date of Birth] field is in a "date" data type and add quotes around the dates in your conditions. This will ensure that everything works as you would expect. 

Have a great day!

Amelia

[carolinemcdonald]

Hello,

Thanks for the quick response!  I made the changes that both of you suggested but am still seeing the malformed if statement error.  I did change the "Date of Birth" field to a date using a select tool.  Any other thoughts?  Thanks for your help!

 

[carolinemcdonald]

Thank you for the quick response!  Still getting an error.  See my note to Amelia below.  Thanks for your help!

[MarqueeCrew · Accepted solution]

elseif

[carolinemcdonald]

That was it!  Thanks!

[MarqueeCrew]

@carolinemcdonald,

Quick is good, but accurate (right) is even better!

Cheers,

Mark

[DChampagne57]

Hi, I am having the exact same issue and I don't see that this was ever resolved. Could someone please advise?

[MarqueeCrew]

"Else If" has a space in it.

Syntax requires:  ELSEIF

Cheers,

Mark