Adding total from the same field with different numbers

[TaiChi56]

Let me explain my topic. I have a portal that brings in data with these fields.

Course; Decription ; Credit; Absences, owed

The owed field is used for up to 7 different rows depending on the student's schedule. So for example a student may have only 3 rows looking like this:

Course Descrip Credit Absences Owed

E16 Eng1 1 21 3

F20 Span1 1 22 4

12J Alg 1 1 17 5

What I want to do is have a calculation that totals all the numbers in the "Owed" field.

I used the following but of course it took the first number and kept adding it.

Sum (MakeUpHours;MakeUpHours;MakeUpHours)

I can't make each "Owed" field unique because this field is imported from an EXCEL sheet. How do I distinguish individual row so it adds each number? Do I use a calculation that uses the course field also? Thank you for your help.

[comment]

What I want to do is have a calculation that totals all the numbers in the "Owed" field.

I have a feeling something is missing, but the above should be very easy to accomplish by =

Sum ( YourPortalTable::Owed )

[TaiChi56]

Thank you comment. I tried what you suggested. My table is name CreditDenial so I put Sum (CreditDenial::Owed) but that did not work. You suggested that something may be missing. What do you think may be missing that may be a problem? Should I put an example of the database up here for you to look at? Thank you for your help.

I decided to add an example that hopefully will make it clearer.

FmForums_Oct 2012.zip

[comment]

I haven't installed v.12 yet, so I can't look at your file.

My table is name CreditDenial so I put Sum (CreditDenial::Owed) but that did not work.

Is the portal from Students into CreditDenial? If so, Sum ( CreditDenial::Owed ) should work - provided it's defined in the Students table.

[bruceR]

Comment is correct; the field as currently defined by TaiChi56 is in the Denial table and works correctly when defined in the Students table.

[TaiChi56]

Thank you to both of you but I must be really missing something here. I cannot get the TotalHours to add all the Owed block. It takes the first one and puts it in the block but nothing else. I have been messing with it but to no avail. The owed block is a field called "MakeUpHours" I related the credit denial table to the student table by StudentID. What am I not understanding? Is it a Realationship problem? I know I have a lot to learn. THank you for being patient. Thank you again for helping.

[LaRetta]

You didn't attach the file which showed what you've tried but the calculation must be in the Students table. I've attached a file showing it. Check Students table and the last field added. Then look at Students layout upper right. I've placed the calculation result there for you to see.

If this is incorrect then we are misunderstanding each other and we'll need more information.

Edit: Both Comment and Bruce said the calculation should be in Students. ;-)

SUM.zip

[TaiChi56]

LaRetta that worked perfectly. I looked at it and now understand what Comment and Bruce were trying to say. Boy I still have a long way to go learning this stuff. Thank you to Bruce and Comment and to you. This is a great forum.