About choosing aggregation options

In most cases, Discoverer calculates aggregated values by simply adding up a series of data points. In some cases however, Discoverer cannot compute aggregated values in this way and requires a more complex calculation to obtain the correct results. For example, if you are using an Oracle8i database, Discoverer cannot compute aggregated values for certain specific non-linear calculations, or worksheet items based on the following SQL functions:

• a CASE SQL statement

• a DECODE SQL statement

• a PL/SQL function

• a DISTINCT SQL statement

• an analytic function

Note: Discoverer does not display non-aggregable values for scheduled workbooks (i.e. Discoverer processes scheduled workbooks as if you selected the Show <Non-aggregable label>, the "values that cannot be aggregated as" option below).

In these cases, you might want to use the aggregation options on the "Worksheet Properties dialog: Aggregation tab" to control how the aggregated values are computed, as follows:

• If you are using an Oracle9i (or later) database, Discoverer can compute a total for non-linear calculations. Therefore you typically select the Show the aggregated value calculated by the database. The database uses the same aggregation method as Discoverer option. For an example, see "Example 1: Example of a Rank calculation using an Oracle9i database".

  In the unlikely event that you want Discoverer to compute an aggregated value by simply adding up a series of data points, select the Show the sum of the values displayed in the contributing cells option.

• If you using an Oracle8i database, Discoverer cannot compute a total for certain specific non-linear calculations. Therefore, do one of the following:

  • select the Show <Non-aggregable label>, the "values that cannot be aggregated as" option, set on the "Worksheet Properties dialog: Aggregation tab" if you want to display a non-aggregable label (e.g. N.A). For an example, see "Example 2: Example of a weighted margin calculation using an Oracle8i database".

  • select the Show the sum of the values displayed in the contributing cells option if you want Discoverer to compute an aggregated value by simply adding up a series of data points. For an example, see "Example 3: Example of a weighted margin calculation using an Oracle8i database".

Notes

• For more information about linear and non-linear calculations in Discoverer, see "What are linear and non-linear totals".

• To display the "Worksheet Properties dialog: Aggregation tab", choose Edit | Worksheet Properties and display the Aggregation tab