Summary Function?

[rblloyd]

Well I am new to file maker forums, but it looks like a great place to solve a problem or two

I want to know if there is a summary that will summarize the contents of one field similar to the count function, but based on the value of the field.

As fas as I am aware, the count field in the summary will only summarize the total number of repititions. What if there are only two values in a particular field; 1 and 2. How could I count a total number of occurances for each field entry?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[mr_vodka]

Not a function but you can create a subsummary report grouped by that field. You could also use GetSummary which will return the total count in browse mode for the records that have the similar value as the record that you are on. However, like the subsummary report, the records will have to be sorted.

Edited November 12, 2008 by Guest

[Kevin Frank]

[actually in response to rblloyd]

What if there are only two values in a particular field; 1 and 2. How could I count a total number of occurances for each field entry?

Are you saying that if you have a found set containing six records, say something like this:

Date      Amount

==================

1/1/2008    1

1/2/2008    2

1/3/2008    1

1/4/2008    2

1/5/2008    1

1/6/2008    2

...you want to count the unique values in the Amount field (in this case 2)?

FileMaker doesn't natively offer a way to do it, but as usual, there are many ways to skin a cat, and as Mr Vodka says, GetSummary can help out here.

Assuming I understand your problem, this demo shows a way to accomplish this.

http://tinyurl.com/6zqs23

In a nutshell you want to flag the first unique occurrence of each value, and then summarize (total) that number. See the flag_unique_student field, and corresponding summary field in the demo.

HTH,

Kevin

Edited November 13, 2008 by Guest
Clarifying "in response to"

[rblloyd]

Thanks for all of your help so far.. I think I might understand better the concept but im still a little lost. In response to kevin, your on the right track with your example but instead of counting the unique values, I want to count the number of times each value is reported, for example there where 3 1's in the found set and 3 2's.

So on my report I want to add a field (or two?) that will report how many ones are in found in the report and how many two's. To be truly honest, 1 and 2 are just exampes. The field in every record just has one of two words within: import and export. Because my reports can be long I want it to calcualte how many records contain import in a certain field and how many contain the word export. Those are the only two options for entry in the field by the way.

Thank in advance!

[mr_vodka]

A sI stated earlier, this can easily be accomplished with a straight forward subsummary report. Go ahead and try the wizard. You dont need a body part so you can delete it if you wish.

[rblloyd]

Thanks John for your help that method worked well enough to use. I appreciate your help!

Randy