Hi again Abhilash!
I just decided to try my original formula in a completely new report file.... and it works!
So I don't know if there is something else in the report that is causing a problem, perhaps the subreport.
Here is the simple formula that is working in the new document...
IF "aboriginal" in ({ecatalog_csv.DesObjectStatement})
or "aboriginal" in ({ecatalog_csv.DesDescription})
or "boomerang" in ({ecatalog_csv.DesDescription})
or "indigenous" in ({ecatalog_csv.DesDescription})
or "Boomerang" in ({ecatalog_csv.DesDescription})
then ({ecatalog_csv.SumRegistrationNumber})
I will create a completely new report file and try to note when it stops working (but hopefully it won't!)
I'll close the issue for now and reopen if required.
many many thanks for all your help!
Karen