How do I in a Report??

[forskare]

Using the convt_date field to yield the year, how do I use the year as the groupbreak? This make sense? I want the report to break on the year field and the year is derived from the convt_date field.

Thanks,

kenn

[Willard]

RE: How do I in a Report??

Ken, does this not work for the group Break str(Year(convt_date),4,0)?

[forskare]

RE: How do I in a Report??

No, it doesn't. "No such field"

But, this allows the details to sort on the year break w/o putting the year in the gouup heading. Year(Criminal->Convt_Date)

So, just need to get the Year data into the group header.

Thanks,

kenn

[forskare]

RE: How do I in a Report??

Jack,

I added an extra ( at the beginning with the first (, so it reads

Break str((convt_date),4,0,) but it returns a 'Function is not recognized'.

kenn

[Stan Mathews]

RE: How do I in a Report??

Sounds like you're working in as set where the convt_date is in a child table. If so you have to refer to the field with the tablename->convt_date syntax.

str(Year(tablename->convt_date),4,0)?

[Stephen Williams]

RE: How do I in a Report??

I just successfully made a report grouped on Date from a child table (the parent table also has a field "Date" so it was extra necessary to specify the table. My expression is
str(Year(Trans->Date),4,0)

I also got the same result with
Year(Trans->Date)

Expression was put in the group properties; break on change in box.

Steve Williams

[forskare]

RE: How do I in a Report??

Steve and Others,

I have my group break running fine with the expression suggested. What I need is to have the yYEAR show in the group header at every year break. I could't find where A5 allows for a field to be created on the report via an expression. The only place I found where an expression could be written is in the filter/s.

That is why I created the YEAR field in the table. It actually contains no data so if an expression could be written to produce the year form the Convt_Date field and be able to either populate the year field or put the expression on a field in the group header, I'd have the problem solved.

Hate to say this, but this is an easier than easy thing to do in a report for A97. Oops. Perhaps V5 will have a little more to the quick report genie.

Also as a question of interest, when using the quick report genie, groups with totals, is there some extra specal reason why the totals appear they way they do rather than at the bottom of each column where they should be?

Thanks,

kenn

[CALocklin]

RE: How do I in a Report??

Ken,

I assume you have the report working with a group expression like: year(Criminal->Convt_Date). At least, this is the easiest way to do it. I just tried it and verified that you can get the field from the child table using the drag-and-drop box in the report editor. (NOTE: This whole comment assumes you are using the report editor. I seldom use the genies because (a) I'm used to doing it the "hard way", and (b) I find I go beyond the genie capabilities to often.)

To get that group expression, I first created a group on the date only. (Actually, any field would do just to create the group.) Then I right clicked the "group" line and opened the group properties. Next, click the drop-down for "break on change in" and click the "expression> box at the very top of the list. Now you can either use the drop-down lists or type in the function and field to change the break to whatever expression you need.

Once you have the correct group expression, you can use the report "DragDrop" list to insert a "New Calc/Summary Field> in the header and use the "New Calculated Field" expression builder that pops up automatically to define the new field. Of course, it should be defined exactly the same as the group break field in this case.

By the way, I hope none of this sounds too complicated. It takes FAR longer to explain this than it does to do it.

[CALocklin]

RE: How do I in a Report??

I just tried the report genie to see what you meant about the group totals. (I can't remember the last time I used a genie!) I've seen this type of layout used quite commonly with accounting. It's a lot easier to read totals when they are NOT directly below the column. Also, sometimes you may want to "total the totals" and it makes more sense when they are in separate columns. Personally, I prefer them this way as long as the report isn't too crowded to allow the extra space requird.

I even make my spreadsheets look like this when using them for presentation to groups or management. (Although I usually put the totals to the right of the column and the A5 report I created put them to the left.) OK, Microsoft probably doesn't do it the same way. But, like your mother probably used to say, "Just because everyone else does it that way it doesn't make it right."

[Stan Mathews]

RE: How do I in a Report??

"The only place I found where an expression could be written is in the filter/s. "

Aside from Cal's suggestion, you can define a calculated field for the report and "expression" to your heart's content. The calculated fields are available via the drag-drop list and have the added benefit of being subject to the "evaluate" button in the expression builder. This means you can tweak your expression, evaluate it, and be sure you have defined it correctly.

[forskare]

RE: How do I in a Report??

Cal, Stan,

I went over Cal's suggestion carefully and learned a thing or two. The education I've received from several of you this week end has 'broadened my horizons' to say the least. Some of you folks must be a walking A5 text book!! To that end, I am greatful.

Sometimes you may wonder if I try to find the solutions as much as I can before I post and I do. None the less, I appreciate your patience.

Thanks,

kenn

[Stan Mathews]

RE: How do I in a Report??

"Some of you folks must be a walking A5 text book!! "

If, by that, you mean we are out-of-date, incomplete, hard to follow, and sometimes just plain wrong... I take offense.

If you mean something else, never mind.

[forskare]

RE: How do I in a Report??

Stan,

I said, "The education I've received from several of you this week end has 'broadened my horizons' to say the least. Some of you folks must be a walking A5 text book!! To that end, I am greatful."

I'd say this is a complement, meaning I am very greatful for the help I've received form those of you who are very, very knowledgable with A5. I'm confused at to why you would be offended or why you think I believed you or others were outdated?

kenn

[Stan Mathews]

RE: How do I in a Report??

Lighten up Ken....

Half of what I say is in jest. I was making fun of the Alpha manuals, if not the content, at least the organization. You referred to your helpers as walking manuals, and you meant it earnestly I know, in terms of getting answers to problems. Do you see the irony? If the manuals were more up to date, better organized, better indexed, more searchable, offered more examples...... we might not need as much help. Not that I haven't enjoyed and learned from every minute I've spent on the board.

Sorry you took it that way. I just wanted you to enjoy the joke.

[Stan Mathews]

RE: How do I in a Report??

Still playing with the HTML. I didn't mean for the font size to be that big.