Setting Up Columns

You select the columns to display on the Job Status Inquiry form from a list that contains the most frequently used columns. Each column on the list is set up using a formula that determines the type of information that the system retrieves. The standard formulas are hard-coded to retrieve amounts, units, and units at the header level of the account.

You use the Define Column Inquiry program (P51921) to add, review, and revise column information. The program provides a list of the standard formula numbers that are used in the predefined columns. You can create new columns to display additional information by setting up the standard formulas in an equation. You use the basic math symbols (+, –, *, ÷) in conjunction with the standard formula numbers to create the equations for new columns. You can also use parentheses () to nest equations.

For example, original budget amounts for the JA ledger are hard-coded to use formula 2 and revised budget amounts are hard-coded to use formula 3. If you wanted to display the variance between these two amounts, you could set up a column for budget variance and enter the equation 2 – 3 as the formula. You can also create formulas for ledger types other than those used in the standard formulas, such as JA, AA, and HA, by completing the Description 01,Description 02, and Special Handling fields of user-defined code (UDC) 51/IL. When the fields are completed, the corresponding numeric codes for the amount and unit ledgers appear in the standard formula list.

See Understanding UDCs for Job Cost.

This program also provides a Multiplier field to assist you with keeping formulas simple. For example, if you wanted to multiply the result of the formula by 3, rather than using nested equations, you can enter 3 as the multiplier. You can also assign a data item to the column and use it to add glossary information.

The system stores column information in the Inquiry Columns table (F5192).