Microsoft KB Archive/32480

How to Enter Computed Criteria into the Database PSS ID Number: Q32480 Article last modified on 10-02-1990 PSS database name: D_MPlan

4.00

MS-DOS

Summary:

Computed Criteria finds records based on the relationship between two or more fields in the database. Computed Criteria must be entered with the Value command, not with the Alpha command. Using the Alpha command causes Multiplan to interpret Computed Criteria as literal text and finds no records, even though the criteria seems correctly stated. When Computed Criteria has been correctly entered, you will see the “!Name” message displayed in the cell holding the Computed Criteria.

More Information:

The following example shows how to correctly sort records using Computed Criteria. The three fields show names and two-months worth of purchases:

Name January February Mike $34 $10 Bill $25 $0 Biff $28 $100 Willie $64 $4

If you wanted to find all the people who spent less than $50 in the two months combined, you could create the following Computed Criteria:

MADE_UP_NAME January+February<50

To enter “January+February<50”, you must first select the cell and press V to choose the Value option (or press the equal sign). If you correctly enter the criteria in the cell that holds “January+February<50”, you will see “!Name” displayed. Finally, use the Name command and name the range of cells “criteria” that make up the Computed Criteria.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1990.