Using elements in the Data Area

You can list the hierarchies and elements in the Data Area automatically or manually. To list them automatically, click Fill. Each hierarchy is listed with the element currently used in the report. If the element is in a report object (for example, a combo box) the name of the report object is displayed. To select a different element, click in the Selection column. You can select single or multiple elements. If you select multiple elements, you must select a function from the Aggregation function list.

If you click Fill but make no changes to the selected elements, the effect is the same as not defining the Data Area.

To fill the list manually, click <Select Hierarchy> in the Hierarchy column and select a hierarchy from the list.

Aggregation functions

This table describes the aggregation functions:
Function Description
Any Checks if any value meets a specified criteria.
Note: The Any aggregation function is available for lists in the Data Area only for OLAP aliases.
Minimum The element with the lowest value passes through the filter.
Maximum The element with the highest value passes through the filter.
Sum Sums the values of the selected elements.
Average Calculates the average of the selected elements.
If you select two or more elements from a single hierarchy in the Data Area, you must select an aggregation function from the Aggregation function list.

Example: Any vs Sum

To exclude zero values in this report, you could create this filter:

  • Filter By: Value
  • Condition: Does not equal
  • Value: 0
  • Aggregation function: Any
This table demonstrates the effect of the filter:
CA CB CC
RA 0 0 0
RB 1 0 5
RC 2 -2 0

In row RA there are no values which do not equal zero and so the row is excluded.

Rows RB and RC contain values which do not equal zero and the rows are retained.

If you used Sum as the aggregation function, row RC would also be excluded because its sum equals zero.