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Calculated field inside another calculated field

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    Calculated field inside another calculated field

    Using our groups website database (in Access, exported to Alpha5), I have a report which displays somewhat like a graphic calendar: the report is for lectures given for 6 weeks, 3 days per week. All days have two lectures (displayed by time, speaker and lecture title); some days have a third lecture displayed.

    The report is designed with each day's events designed in a sub-report. There is a calculated field of "Start" which equals the date of the first day of the 6-week term. The Eventdate for succeeding sub-reports is defined as Start+1, Start+2, etc. The template of the report is used for all three terms during an academic year. For each term, the "Start" date is redefined.

    Each lecture is assigned to one of six categories. There is a designated field (Grp) for the categories, and the appropriate categories are displayed at the top of each day in the report, the two being separated by a slash.

    My calculated field to display the two categories is, for example, Day1Categories= lookup("calendar.dbf","eventdate={01/18/2005}.and.milhr='0930'.and.eventtype='s'","alltrim(grp)")+" / "+lookup("calendar.dbf","eventdate={01/18/2005}.and.milhr='1100'.and.eventtype='s'","alltrim(grp)")

    Here is my problem: Because the categories (Grp) display in the Group header of each sub-report, I need to define a calculated field for each day but want to use Start (or Start+1, etc.) so reports for succeeding terms need only to have the Start date redefined. If I specify the date (as above), the report picks up the Grp from the database and displays properly. However, I cannot seem to make this work when I substitute Start, Start+1 or the like in the expression. I am assuming there's something I don't know about using a calculated field inside another calculated field. I am obviously in need of expert help.

    Thanks,
    Sandy Nichols

    #2
    RE: Calculated field inside another calculated fie

    Sandy,

    "I am assuming there's something I don't know about using a calculated field inside another calculated field. I am obviously in need of expert help."

    Avoid doing so.

    If
    field1=A+B, and
    field2=A+B+C

    that's how field2 should be defined rather than
    field1+C
    which will lead to problems.

    If you will be using a particular calculation in multiple times and places you may want to consider creating a user-defined function containing the calculation.

    Bill
    Bill Hanigsberg

    Comment


      #3
      RE: Calculated field inside another calculated fie

      Thanks, Bill. Sure makes a difference when one knows what one is doing.

      Your suggestion works, of course. Unfortunately, it doesn't relieve me of having to redo the date in the calculated fields for each term; I had hoped to be able to revise the "Start" calculation, only. At least, knowing what I do now, I can edit the calculated expression for each day more easily.

      Now, I'll see if I can figure out how to accomplish your suggestion, "...you may want to consider creating a user-defined function containing the calculation." - not sure I know how to do that.

      Thanks, again.
      Sandy Nichols

      Comment


        #4
        RE: Calculated field inside another calculated fie

        Bill's advice about the udf is probably the best course.

        It is possible to use one calculated field as a basis for another and there is at least one example in the AlphaSports application. (The total order for the order report is defined as total(CALC-"Order_Ext,GRP-"Group 1))

        The usual omission is in not referring to the "other" calculated field with the calc-" prefix.
        There can be only one.

        Comment


          #5
          RE: Calculated field inside another calculated fie

          Hi Stan,

          The problem I have with this is that you have to worry about the order in which the calculations occur.

          However, I can see why it would be nice to avoid having multiple instances of the same calculation to maintain.

          Bill
          Bill Hanigsberg

          Comment


            #6
            RE: Calculated field inside another calculated fie

            Sandy,

            I took another look at what you are trying to do. Just for fun, why don't you try Stan's suggestion.

            If that gives problems, I could see you capturing start date into a variable and using that in your calculations which would mean you would only have to calculate the initial date one time.

            I am not perfectly clear on what you are doing so this may not make sense.

            If you posted an example here I'm sure a few of us would be willing to tinker with it.

            Bill
            Bill Hanigsberg

            Comment


              #7
              RE: Calculated field inside another calculated fie

              I'll look into your replies and let you know what happens. I was hoping not to have to post an example. Stay tuned.

              And thanks,
              Sandy Nichols

              Comment


                #8
                RE: Calculated field inside another calculated fie

                Agreed and I have encountered the "opportunity". Never have found if the order of calculation is alphabetical, as encountered on the report, or something else.
                There can be only one.

                Comment

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