Top N vs. running total select

[mwhalen]

what's the general feeling out there with the topN feature -it would seem to me that it does the trick only on the simplest report. If I need a conditional total on a report that doesn't really work in a straight group sum, it's going to be hard to use Top N. Is topN more trouble than it's worth? I'd like some feedback on your experiences please. I'm using Version 7

 

[lbass]

I don't think this is the sort of thing that people have general feelings about--either it works for a particular need or it doesn't. Why not lay out what your report looks like, including groups, and then explain the sort you'd like to do. If your summary is not an inserted summary (or can't be converted to one), a group sort is trickier.

-LB

 

[mwhalen]

Thanks LB. I have 3 levels of grouping. First is on client, second is on purchase number, third is on account. I think I'm stuck on what grouping to apply my top 10 amounts to. Sorry to sound so dumb about it, I have never used this feature before. Plus it's been a while since I used version 7 again. Thanks for your help.

 

[lbass]

It depends on whether you want the top 10 per customer, per purchase number(?), or per account. I'm guessing you want to sort the customers according to the totals purchased. So you would select the customer group->"sum of {table.amt}" as your sort field, probably descending.

-LB

 

[mwhalen]

Thanks. I know how to use the TOP N feature. I guess I more wanted some feedback on whether it was best to use TOP N or another method.