Hi I have a field that is summed and a resultant variable that holds the sum value. I can display this value when putting the variable anywhere on the page but when I try to include it in a msg expression within the a text field heading it displays null. How can I have it display the value in the text msg. A sample of the heading is below; msg("Total for ({0} to {1}) {2}", $P{startDate}==null ? "No Start Date" : new SimpleDateFormat("dd/MM/yyyy", Locale.UK).format($P{startDate}), $P{endDate}==null ? "No End Date" : new SimpleDateFormat("dd/MM/yyyy", Locale.UK).format($P{endDate}), $V{total}) The total variable in bold shows null. Thanks IRNewbie