You can create a number of different types of calculated columns including:
Type | Description |
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This allows you to build calculations through a builder interface, rather than having to write the SQL yourself. | |
This allows you to build a calculation using a template, rather than having to use a builder, simply by specifying the fields it requires. | |
This allows you to build a calculation by writing the SQL, rather than using a builder. |
This calculation returns numeric values and allows for standard Metric formatting options such as decimal places, prefix, suffix, and default aggregation.
This calculation allows for all the standard Dimension formatting and functionality such as inclusion in Drill Down Hierarchies.
More complex calculations can be created using the case statement. The case statement allows you to create new values in columns based on business logic. For example IF age is less than 20 then print “Young”.
If you are not familiar with Case Statements, the basic structure is as follows:
CASE WHEN this is true THEN return this WHEN this is true THEN return this WHEN this is true THEN return this ... ELSE return this END |
Each of the items in CAPS are a component in the case statement:
Component | Description |
---|---|
CASE | The calculation will always begin with the CASE component. Make sure you have added this before trying to build the formula, other components will not be available until you do. |
WHEN | You can have as many WHEN components as you like in a Case statement, but they will always need to be before the ELSE component. WHEN is used to define a condition, for example: |
THEN | This is linked to the WHEN component and instructs Yellowfin on what to return when the condition is met. For example: |
ELSE | This is an optional component that is used to tell Yellowfin what to do when none of the WHEN conditions are met. It basically works like an extra THEN component. |
END | The calculation will always end with an END component in order to tell Yellowfin that it's complete. Your calculation will not be valid if you don't have an END so be sure to add it. |
Custom functions are a configurable item within your own installation of Yellowfin. To add new custom XML functions into the application contact your system administrator or see Custom Functions for more information.
Once you have created a calculation, you can formulate and display its total aggregated value. More about this in the Summaries section.