Ok the problem originated in query with calculated fields that needed Nz to work.
i.e. PastDue: Nz([DuesOwed])-Nz([DuesPaid])
but it appears that the Nz Function doesn't just calculate null as 0, it puts a zero in the field. and this makes the report look a little busy and unsightly.
I went to conditional formatting to format all 0 text as white font, but the report has the two tone alternate back color to help your eyes track the data.
is there a way to conditional format for the two tone, or have the field formatted to not show zero value, or some other work around.
Thanks for any thoughts or help