I'd like to take the value of a two-part revision variable (A.02, B.03, etc.) and place just the Alpha part into a separate card variable, and do it automatically.
I've looked into using an input formula, but it seems that these formulas only calculate when the user manually types values into the source variable field, not when a variable is updated by the system, for instance upon a state change.
Next, I thought I'd look at Dispatch, but I need to read the source variable, then write a modified version of it to the destination variable, and although Dispatch has a Set Card Variable command, it apparently doesn't have a Get Card Variable command, which seems to me a glaring omission.
Need I write an add-in for this seemingly simple task?
With Dispatch Option, you can try with "Variables" section where you can select "Variable Value from selected file(s) datacard" where you can get the variable value automatically. You will have to declare a dispatch variable and then try using the String function available with Dispatch to get the desired alpha part of the revision variable.
Hope the information helps...!!