var_1 = Date.Text

will return when debugged:

""


var_2 = Date.SecStart (this may not be completely valid, it's where the cursor goes, i know the code i'm using is correct, it just isn't here)

will return when debugged:

false, or null

if I were to just not assign variables it works fine
but
i need the variables because i'd rather type 30 lines of code instead of 500

what do