iReport variable expression returns null

[rkuznetsov]

Here's the simple code in XML view of print form:

<variable name="TITLE" class="java.lang.String">     <variableExpression><![CDATA[$F{APP_NUMBER}.replaceAll( "app_", "" )]]></variableExpression></variable>[/code]

If I use this variable in form, it returns null (while using "$V{TITLE}"). But if I remove replaceAll method, it works and returns correct value. What is wrong with expression? Should I use something instead of "<variableExpression>"?

[ruthran]

Variable execution depends on which band there were actually placed. Can you let me know where you are placing it. Variable usually return NULL if they were not rendered at proper time. To manipulate this, we also have another called "Evaluation time" on the text box. You can try changing the default value "Now" to some other value and see whether it is working.