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Manual Messed up and Misleading

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    Manual Messed up and Misleading

    "Defining Calculated Fields for a Set or Table

    Calculated fields defined for a table or set are created in the Calculated Fields dialog box. To open this dialog box, choose Global Calculated Fields from either the Table or Set menu. "

    Can someone tell me where this Global Calculated Fields is in the Set menu???

    #2
    RE: Manual Messed up and Misleading

    Open the control panel, click on the tables/sets tab, right click on the table name, on the menu that opens left click on edit structure. On the menu bar, you'll see "table", left click on that and choose global calculated fields from the menu that opens. Or you can click on the xy icon on the menu bar. Hope this helps.

    Comment


      #3
      RE: Manual Messed up and Misleading

      Jim,

      You can do the same thing that Ohlen describes when the Edit Set dialog box is open.

      Open control panel
      Right click on set icon
      Choose Edit Set
      Click XY tool

      -- tom

      Comment


        #4
        RE: Manual Messed up and Misleading

        Thank you for your reply but there is still a problem....

        This part is OK:

        >Open the control panel, click on the tables/sets tab, right click on the table name, on the menu that opens left click on edit structure.<

        I get a Window labeled "Restructure Table (Customers). There is no "Table" on the tool bar....There is "Table Structure" but it doesn't do anything. Yes, the xy icon is there and clicking it does bring up the Global Calculated Fields table. Thanks.

        I don't mean to be difficult but when someone tells me there is something on a menu bar that doesn't exist on my menu bar, I begin to wonder if I'm running a different version? My version is Alpha 5.0, build 1410, add ins build 1036. Is this the same for you?

        Comment


          #5
          RE: Manual Messed up and Misleading

          Current build is:

          1501_1053

          Suggest you download the latest patch from the Tech Support Download page.


          The documentation is being improved and extended frequently. Suggest you get the latest CHM from the Learning Center at the Alpha Website.

          I tried to find the text you are referencing in the docs, but could not. If you will point it out to me, we can bring it to the attention of the technical writer tasked with keeping things current and accurate (Edward Larrabee).

          -- tom

          Comment


            #6
            RE: Manual Messed up and Misleading

            Thanks, Tom. I'm glad you cleared that up because the first procedure does not work on a set.

            While I have your attention, I am going nuts with another problem.

            I have a TAB form with the TAB labeled "Sales"
            On the form are 3 calulated fields which function correctly. I wish to put another calculated field on the form (Gross Sales) which is a simple addition of the contents of the other 3 fields.

            total(Calc->Total_Security_Device_Sales+Calc->Asma+Calc->Support)

            It worked in A4.5 but I can't get it to work in 5.0. I just get squares in the field and it is wide enough. Any ideas?

            Comment


              #7
              RE: Manual Messed up and Misleading

              Tom, thanks. The image attached shows the manual page with that text.

              FYI, I write manuals for a CAD program. In general, I find the A5 manual sketchy, brief, skips steps and doesn't have enough examples. Also, the wording of the command structure like this:

              "Get the total of subexpression over group 'over' sampled each group 'each'"

              leaves much to be desired!

              Comment


                #8
                RE: Manual Messed up and Misleading

                Jim,

                Your post didn't help. Care to try again?

                In any case an image probably won't help me as much as a brief description of the specific 'book' or document, plus a page number or chapter heading.

                I think you'll find Alpha Software response to suggestions for improvement to the documentation. If you find the examples and terminology cryptic I suggest you spend some time in the tutorials.

                -- tom

                Comment


                  #9
                  RE: Manual Messed up and Misleading

                  Jim,

                  I believe you'll find that Total() is intended for reports, not forms.

                  Have you tried defining the new calculated display field as the sum of the three other calc fields?

                  -- tom

                  Comment


                    #10
                    RE: Manual Messed up and Misleading

                    If you haven't downloaded the latest CHM yet, do so. It's the Alpha Five Help and you'll find a download link at this url:

                    http://www.alphasoftware.com/support/tech/alpha5/learningcenter.asp

                    The discussion of the Total() function explains the grouping and subgrouping parameters well. You'll find it in the Alphabetic List of Functions. Indexed under Total().

                    -- tom

                    Comment


                      #11
                      RE: Manual Messed up and Misleading

                      Tom

                      Try Help/Contents/User Guide/Calculated Fields

                      Comment


                        #12
                        RE: Manual Messed up and Misleading

                        Thanks, Tom. I'm on a dial up right noe and a 29Meg download just isn't practical right now. Have to wait till I get to the high speed connection at my office. Thanks for the link.

                        Comment


                          #13
                          RE: Manual Messed up and Misleading

                          Tom:

                          Just FYI, I'm not a newbee. Been at this since 1974 and Z80's and I appreciate all your help!

                          I would love to try the "calculated display field" Might be just the thing. I launch the CHM manual, go to the index. try to look it up....nothing!

                          I feel like a jerk asking you where it is but I'll be damned if I can find it!

                          Makes me feel so glad that I just upgraded and bought a new version just to end up frustrated and feeling like an ass! (just venting)

                          Comment


                            #14
                            RE: Manual Messed up and Misleading

                            Jim,

                            There are 4 major resources that will help you with the transition:

                            1) the Learning Center (link is on Alpha's home page)
                            2) the archived Newsletters
                            3) the Code Archive forum in the message board
                            4) the collection of Articles at www.learn alpha.com maintained by Dr. Peter Wayne

                            I recommend them all.

                            -- tom

                            Comment


                              #15
                              RE: Manual Messed up and Misleading

                              Jim,

                              the term 'calculated field' is, by itself, a bit ambiguous. 'Calculated display field' is my own terminology. Please take a deep breath. I use it to distinguish a table field that has been defined as a 'calculated field type' in field rules. I did not mean to send you on a wild goose chase.

                              I use the term 'Calculated display field' to reference calc fields that are defined in a layout (form, labels, reports) as distinguished from actual fields in the table structure, for which a field rule automatically supplies a calculated value. Layout level calculated fields are transient. You may think of them as variables for which predefined expressions supply values automatically. Layout level calculated fields are the same type of 'beast' as the global calculated field you were working with at the top of this thread. (Defined as a calc field ... not a table field...for a table.)

                              So, there at least three kinds of calculated fields:

                              1) a table field for which a field rule calculates a specific value using a predefined expression. This is stored in the table.

                              2) a global calculated field defined as such (rather than a table field) for a table.

                              3) a layout calculated field defined in the properties of a layout.

                              types 2 & 3 are primarly distinguished by their scope. Otherwise they work the same way.

                              To add a new calc 'display' field to a form, open form in design mode, then use the Drag / Drop list and drag a new calc / summary field on to the form's layout. Piece of cake. Alternatively, you can choose 'Form' from the layout design menu and you'll find both Calculated fields and Variables at the bottom of the drop down list.

                              If you care to email me a working copy of the database with instructions on how you want a particular form modified, I'll see if I can lend you a hand.

                              -- tom

                              Comment

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