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Report header and calculated field

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    #1

    Report header and calculated field

    Hi,

    I am converting an 8 year old application from Alpha 4 to Alpha 5 (which I am just learning). I have a field in my database called Pre_inv. I have the report summarized by group and the group break field is called drugname. I need each group to start on a new page and a group may require multiple pages.

    I do not have the pre_inv field displayed on the report in the detail section. However, I do need to display the first value for that field per page in the page header. In Alpha 4, one could specify the first value as a summary function at the page level. Is is possible in Alpha 5?

    The function first shows a syntax (in the manual) as

    First Value = First(Expression,[GRP->Group[,GRP->Sug-Group]]).

    Any thoughts on how to achieve this?

    Thanks,
    Robin Sculthorpe
    Tags: None
    #2
    RE: Report header and calculated field

    In design mode, make the drag drop list visible, drag the
    pre_inv field field into the group header or footer, makes no difference. Specify first, Alpha will "fill in the blanks". Now drag this field into the page header and position as desired. This should give you the desired results as long as you keep the requirement to start each group on a new page.
    There can be only one.

    Comment

      #3
      RE: Report header and calculated field

      Stan,

      Your suggestion didn't work. What I am trying to accomplish is maintaining a report that lists transactions to inventories for investigational drugs. The report is grouped on a field called drugname. The report for each drug starts on a new page, but may continue over multiple pages. Think of it like a report for check registers for many customers, grouped by customer. I need to carry the old balance forward from each page to the header for each new page (just like you do in your checkbook).

      I reread through the message boards and it appears that Alpha 5 does not support page level summary functions as did Alpha 4. It appears to me that the only work-around would be to control the number of records on a page and make that number a group break. Unfortunately, I have a variable size memo which reports with each record, so the number of records per page can vary a lot.

      It appears that the best that I can do is to have a starting inventory in the header at the beginning of the group, but that I can not have the balance carried forward for subsequent pages.

      This is a real bummer, as I am trying to make our accountability forms match those required by both government agencies and industry sponsors.

      I greatly appreciate your help and if you have any other ideas, I would appreciate them, also.

      It would be very nice if Alpha 5 ver. 5 supported page level summary functions. Does anyone know if it will?

      Sincerely,
      Robin Sculthorpe

      Comment

        #4
        RE: Report header and calculated field

        Robin,
        You might be able to use running totals to accomplish what you want.The run_total function can have a group parameter.
        John

        Comment

          #5
          RE: Report header and calculated field

          John,

          I don't think any of the summary functions, such as run_tot will be of any use for this problem as they don't summarize at the page level. The only way such a function would work at the page level is if all the records for a group would fit on a single page OR if the number of records per page was limited to a specific number and a group break was created for that number of records. Neither option will work for me.

          I'm still pondering the best solution for my dilemma as it appears I can't have my cake and eat it, too.

          Thanks,
          Robin Sculthorpe

          Comment

            #6
            RE: Report header and calculated field

            Robin,

            What if you create another calc field and set it equal to whatever the current value might be (in your checkbook example, the running balance). Couldn't you simply display that field in the page header of group continuation pages?

            -- tom

            Comment

              #7
              RE: Report header and calculated field

              Tom's idea is close to what I was thinking. Question is are you 1)looking for totals of just what is on a particular page, or are you 2)carrying running totals for a group which happens to span more than one page. If it's the second choice, I would think you could accomplish it with manipulation of the run-total function. If not and it's critical,check out "creating an index for a catalog".There is something you might be able to do using an example I posted involving a UDF called in a report.

              Comment

                #8
                RE: Report header and calculated field

                Hi,

                When I use Tom's method, I can get the first value for the entire group in each page header, but I need the first value for each individual page in the header.

                John, your idea to use a UDF might be a possible solution and I will take a harder look at your example. See if this sounds like it's on the right track:
                If I could create a calculated detail field which captures the system page number in each detail record, then I could make a subgroup that would allow me to capture the first value for that subgroup (which would basically encompass the detail records on a particular page).

                Another idea that I had, would be to use a little "trompe l'oiel" effect in my report. Perhaps I could make the pre_inv field appear to be part of the header, but actually have it as part of the detail record, using vertical spacing and horizontal lines to achieve the necessary effect(s).

                It looks as though I will be spending more time on this and if you have any more ideas or suggestions I will be very grateful.

                Kind regards,
                Robin Sculthorpe

                Comment

                  #9
                  RE: Report header and calculated field

                  Hi again,

                  I have come up with a solution to my own problem. Achieving the solution was a purely serendipitous event, and, alas, not due to any superior brainpower on my part. There seems, however, to be no logical reason for my solution to work, so if anyone can explain it I would be very grateful. The attached file contains a vastly simplified database and report. Note that the database has no calculated field rules, so I populated the table with appropriate data for illustration purposes.

                  What I managed to do was use a summary function (MAXIMUM) to pick up the first value for a field in the detail record for a page and display it in the header.
                  It seems totally illogical to me, but it works. I do not know if there is a logical reason why it works, or if I have discovered a bug in Alpha 5 which I have been able to exploit to my benefit.

                  Again, thanks to all who have contributed ideas and suggestions.

                  Kind regards,
                  Robin Sculthorpe

                  Comment

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