InfoPath Dev

In the data source task pane, find the data connections you are interested in. Drag the fields onto the form. Add a button that runs the query for the data connection. Publish the form so you can do your testing in the browser. Open the form. Enter values in query fields and click the button you have added to execute the query. I am recommending this so that you can see what is returned in your data connections and better understand how to get the data you need back. What is the formula you are trying to get the manager email? What is the error you are getting? Or do you mean something else by "didn't work" - like the formula didn't return a value?

the formula I am using to try and get just the email string is this: substring-after(Manager,"i:0#.f|membership|")

 Okay, so in general, that's what I'd expect to work. Where is this formula being used? When you set the Manager field from the Form Load rules? Actually, probably not - since you'd use substring-after(Value[Name = "Manager"], "i:0#.f|membership|") if you were using this in your form load rules where you set the manager field... Is this in the latest form sample you posted? Is it simply leaving the manager field blank?  

Ive tried all different variations. The one you just used as an example returns nothing. if i dont use the substring function then it returns the manager email with the i:0#.f|membership| in front of it. Attached is latest version of form. Everything else is working perfectly.

I took your form, changed the form load rule that sets manager to set the manager field to exactly the formula I listed. I updated the data connection to point to my Office 365 site & published. Attached is a screenshot of the result. I'll make the same change in your form for you and attach to another reply.

Here is a copy of your form with the same change that worked in my Office 365 site.

okay i will study it and thanks a ton for your time today Hilary. This one was just giving me a tough time. I am truly grateful for the time you spent helping me figure this out