expression in the table as part of a calculated field.
Sorry, no. I NEVER use calculated fields in tables. Plus, the functions in a calculated field are limited (AFAIK).
Do you know how I can get it to generate a 3-digit variable regardless of date
Try
Code:
Format(CLng(Format(Date, "y")),"000")
Example:
Code:
Format(CLng(Format(#1/2/2016#, "y")),"000")
results in "002". It would have to be stored in a text field.
Or you could store the Julian date in a Integer field (lets call it "JulianDay") and use
Code:
Format(JulianDay,"000")
to convert it to 3 text characters ("002"). It is much better to have 1 field and use the Format function or conversion functions to change the value to another type rather that store it in multiple fields as different types.
For that matter, you could store the calendar date and use
Code:
Format(CLng(Format(MyDateVar, "y")),"000")
to convert the date to a3 character Julian day on the fly.