Field Calculation Help
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Field calculation allows the automatic creation of fields from others, or by
using the six built in constants or any numeric values.

To use this feature : when setting up your fields with the field setup
utility, select the calculated field type for one of the fields.
You will then be asked to enter the calculation you wish to perform to
generate this field.

Any number of calculated fields can be used (all 20 if necessary!).

When you are entering the calculation F1 stands for field 1 , F2 for field 2
... F20 for field 20 etc.

This version supports  + - / *  operators.
(Brakets are not supported and calculations are limited to operations on
two values).

To add the contents of field 1 and field 2 simply enter :-

 F1+F2

To multiply field 3 by field 5 simply enter :-

 F3*F5

To add 5 to field 2 enter :-

 F2+5

To divide field 2 by 10 enter :-

 F2/10


Along with the fields F1 to F20 and numeric values e.g 3,10,4.5 etc. constants
can also be used in the calculations.  Six are provided including one for
V.A.T.  These constants are saved with your database files and the VAT
constant is also saved in the preferences information file.

To change a constant click on the required constant box and enter the new
value.  (Use the decimal places option in preferences if you need greater
accuracy,  e.g. you will need 3 decimal places to store 1.175)

To add constant 2 to field 3 enter :-

 F3+CON2

To add VAT to field 5 enter :-

 F5*VAT          (17.5% VAT should be entered as 1.175)

To subtract constant 4 from field 1 enter:-

 F1-CON4



As you can see the field calculation feature is very powerful and can
generate fields automatically.

For example if you are using PowerBase to keep track of a painting and
decorating business then you could enter the area of the job in field 1 ,
the rate you charge per unit area in constant 2 and the current VAT rate in
the VAT constant (remembering to enter 17.5% VAT as 1.175).

Then field 2 could be a calculated field :  F1*CON2
(the area of the job * your rate per unit area) = cost of job

Field 3 could be the cost of the job (field 2) * VAT (giving a final price)

F2*VAT


Using the field calculation method you only need enter the area of the job
and the rest of the details in each record could be calculated automatically
from the calculation you provide.

To alter a calculation simply go the field setup utility and move to the
calculated field you wish to change and click on the calculation , this will
allow you to alter it.

Calculated fields are extremely flexible and powerful.

YOU CAN EVEN SORT / SEARCH AND FILTER CALCULATED FIELDS!!!
In fact you can perform all operations on a calculated field.
