Report Variables Dialog Box

Lets you create variables within a report. FH uses variables to store the results of calculations performed while the report is being printed. Use this command to add new variables, change or delete existing variables, or change the order in which the variables are evaluated.

Variables lists variables in the current report, and provides space for new variables.

  1. In Value to Store, type an expression to determine initial value of the current variable, or press to display the Expression Builder dialog box to create an expression.

    Information on the Expression Builder dialog box is available in Expression Builder.

  2. In Initial Value, type the expression, or press to display the Expression Builder dialog box to create an expression.

    This expression determines the variable's value before any calculations are performed, and the value to which the variable is reset is displayed.

  3. Select Release After Report to release the report variable from memory after the report is printed.

    Note: If this option is not selected, the variable remains available in memory until you exit FH.

  4. In Reset at, specify the point at which the variable is reset to its initial value.

    By default, End of Report is displayed in the list box. You can also select End of Page or End of Column. If you have specified groups in a report in the Data Grouping dialog box, Reset at displays an item for each group in the report.

    Information on data grouping is available in Data Grouping.

  5. Press Insert to add a new Variables line, so you can type a new variable name.
  6. (Optional) Press Delete to remove the selected Variables.

  7. Use the Calculate options let you specify a calculation that the variable performs.

    The variable begins calculating with its initial value, and continues until it is reset to this initial value.

    Choose this To do this

    Nothing

    Specify that no calculations are made on this variable.

    Count

    Count the number of times a variable is printed per group, page, column, or report (depending on your selection in Reset). The calculation is based on the number of times the variable occurs, not on the variable's value.

    Sum

    Compute the additive sum of the variable's values. This option keeps a running total of the variable values for a group, page, column, or report (depending on your selection in Reset).

    Average

    Compute the arithmetic mean (average) of the variable values within a group, page, column, or report (depending on your selection in Reset).

    Lowest

    Display the lowest value that occurred in that variable for a group, page, column, or report (depending on your selection in Reset). Places in the variable the value of the first record in the group. When a lower value is encountered, the variable's value changes accordingly.

    Highest

    Display the highest value that occurred in that variable for a group, page, column, or report (depending on your selection in Reset). Places in the variable the value of the first record in the group. When a higher value is encountered, the variable's value changes accordingly.

    Std. Deviation

    Return the square root of the variance for the variable values within a group, page, column, or report (depending on your selection in Reset).

    Variance

    Measure the degree to which individual field values vary from the average of all the values in the group, page, column, or report (depending on your selection in Reset).

 

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