Type
Text Function

Purpose
The firstlast function converts a text value from the format: LastName, FirstName[M.] to the format: FirstName[M.]LastName. The [M.] is an optional middle initial (or name).

Syntax
firstlast( TEXT VALUE)
Returns
A text value.

Usage
This function is used when names are stored in a single field. The contents of the field are rearranged so the first word (i.e., the last name) becomes the last word in the returned string. If the name is followed by a comma, the comma is deleted.

Examples
firstlast ( "Anthony, Susan B." )
Returns: Susan B. Anthony

firstlast ( "Eliot, T.S." )
Returns: T.S. Eliot

firstlast ( FULL NAME)

Returns: The value in the FULL NAME field in the format shown above for every record that is processed. If a record contains the value Holmes, Sherlock in the LAST NAME field, the function returns Sherlock Holmes.