Description
Calculates the sum of the values in the specified column.
Syntax
Sum ( column { FOR range { DISTINCT { expres1 {, expres2 {, ... } } } } } )
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Argument |
Description |
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column |
The column for which you want the sum of the data values. Column can be the column name or the column number preceded by a pound sign (#). Column can also be an expression that includes a reference to the column. The datatype of column must be numeric. |
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FOR range (optional) |
The data to be included in the sum. For most presentation styles, values for range are:
For Crosstabs, specify CROSSTAB for range:
For Graph and OLE objects, specify one of the following:
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DISTINCT (optional) |
Causes Sum to consider only the distinct values in column when determining the sum. For a value of column, the first row found with the value is used and other rows that have the same value are ignored. |
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expresn (optional) |
One or more expressions that you want to evaluate to determine distinct rows. Expresn can be the name of a column, a function, or an expression. |
Return value
The appropriate numeric datatype. Returns the sum of the data values in column.
Usage
If you specify range, Sum returns the sum of the values in column within range. If you specify DISTINCT, Sum returns the sum of the distinct values in column, or if you specify expresn, the sum of the values of column where the value of expresn is distinct.
For graphs and OLE objects, you do not select the range when you call the function. The range has already been determined by the Rows setting on the Data property page (the Range property), and the aggregation function uses that range. Settings for Rows include the following:
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For the Graph presentation style, Rows is always All.
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For Graph controls, Rows can be All, Page, or Group.
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For OLE controls, Rows can be All, Current Row, Page, or Group. The available choices depend on the layer the control occupies.
Null values are ignored and are not included in the calculation.
Not in validation rules or filter expressions
You cannot use this or other aggregate functions in validation rules or filter expressions.
Using an aggregate function cancels the effect of setting Retrieve Rows As Needed in the painter. To do the aggregation, a report always retrieves all rows.
Examples
This expression returns the sum of the values in group 1 in the column named salary:
Sum(salary for group 1)
This expression returns the sum of the values in column 4 on the page:
Sum(#4 for page)
Assuming a report displays the order number, amount, and line items for each order, this computed field returns the sum of the order amount for the distinct order numbers:
Sum(order_amt for all DISTINCT order_nbr)
See also
