Functions that have Optional as an input parameter
are so called index functions. The index functionality can only be
used in the report generator. Index functions can be used with an
index number, with blank or in some cases with a value as input.
When
you create a report in the report generator you will put dimensions,
for example account, on either a row or a column. When you later generate
the report the index functions will refer to these rows/columns to
find a value.
If you use an index number as input in an index
function, for example fYear(2), the corresponding row/column index
will be used. In this case the function will return the period (year)
it finds on the second system row/column.
If Blank is used
as a parameter and the index function is entered on a system row/column
then the function will return the value, for example period, it finds
on that row/column. If the function is not entered on a system row/column,
it will return the value it finds on the first system row/column.
As
an example, in a report, period is moved to Column Definition on
the Axes tab in Reports/Create.
In other words periods are chosen for the columns in the report and
you can choose different periods on different columns.
Note: Remember that you should never make references to the
"blue text" (created by the system) because this text can be changed
in the future and your references are lost. Make references to text
(or functions) that you insert as Group/Local text in <uicontrol>Column</uicontrol>/<uicontrol>Row
Definition</uicontrol> in Reports Create or insert an index number
as described above. Of course you can also make references to other
functions or values you have inserted in the report yourself.<p>In
the index functions where you, besides entering an index number or
blank can enter a value, you have to remember to insert double quotation
marks (" ") around the parameter if you are inserting a numeric value.
For example fAccName("1210") will return the name of the account 1210
while fAccName(1210) will return the name of the account on the system
row/column 1210.</p>
Procedure
- If you insert the function fYear() without a parameter
and not in a cell under a system column, then the function will return
the period (year) according to the first system column.
Note: This period doesn't have to be the same period that you
generate the report for.
- If you insert the function fYear() without a parameter
under a system column, e.g. column F, the function will return the
period that is used in that same column.
- If you insert the function fYear(2) with index number 2
in it in the report, the function will return the period that is used
in system column number 2 in the report. (Every system row/column
has a number in it on column A or row number 1 in blue text).