>I used _screen.QtyPict for the qty format.
>
>The clients can choose either '999,999.99' or '99,999,999' for its value.
>
>in the whole application I always use trans(qty,_screen.QtyPict) for qty value.
>
>But I have problem in the report designer, in the Group Footer, if I have:
>
>trans(qty,_screen.QtyPict) => Calculation: sum
>
>I will get '***' instead of value.


It doesn't work because the Calculation is applied to the field expression trans(qty,_screen.QtyPict) result, which is character.

>
>if I tried:
>
>Expression: qty => Calculation: sum
>Format: _screen.QtyPict
>
>the report won't recognize it.


The Report Writer doesn't support dynamic formatting.

>I did try to create a report variable: Tqty => Calculation: sum 'qty'
>and in the Group Footer, I used trans(Tqty,_screen.QtyPict) => Calculation: Nothing, it works.
>
>but I try to avoid this solution because somehow it conflicts with my another reporting tool.
>
>is that any solution?

Yes, it's the simplest solution. You can also make a temp copy of the report, open it as a table, replace format for the fields in question and run it.