AX2645

Managing column sequences

Tables can have one or more column sequences. You can create, edit, and delete sequences when creating or editing a table.

Column sequences can be used with data tables and reference tables (except picklist tables or KPI tables).

Adding a sequence

Column sequences can be added to a table at any time. The ability to add column sequences is limited to administrators and to users with the following security permissions: either the global Administer Tables permission, or the Allow changing table structure permission for individual tables.

To add a sequence:

1. From the Sequences tab of the Edit Table dialog, click Add Sequence.

   If you are creating a new table, you can manage sequences on the Manage Column Sequences screen of the Create Table wizard.

   The New Column Sequence dialog opens.

2. In the Sequence Name box, type a name for the sequence.

   The sequence name can be anything you like. It is only used when setting up other table features; end users do not see or interact with sequence names.

   The sequence name must be unique per table. However, multiple tables can use the same sequence name. For example, the GL2018 and the GL2019 tables can both have a sequence named "M" (for months).

3. If the sequence is for a partial year of data, edit the Start Period to reflect the starting period of the data.

   In most cases, the start period is 1 and does not need to be changed. However, if the sequence is for a partial year of data, you can specify the start period for the sequence.

   Example

   Imagine that you want to define a sequence for last year's data, but the table only contains columns for the last two months of the prior year. If you define those two months as a sequence, and leave the start period as 1, then Axiom Software will interpret the two columns as the first two months of the year rather than the last two, which would make some calculated fields incorrect. To correctly identify the two columns as the last two months of the year, you can set the Start Period to 11.

4. In the Available Columns box, select the columns to be included in the sequence, then click Add to move them to the Columns in Sequence box.

   You can use the SHIFT and CTRL keys to select multiple columns. If a column is added in error, use the Remove button to remove it from the Columns in Sequence box. You can also click Undo Changes to undo any changes made to the column list in the current session.

5. In the Columns in Sequence box, adjust the order and weight of the columns as necessary.

   The columns will be evaluated in the order listed. For example, if the sequence is used for a YTD calculation (year-to-date), and the current period is 4, the first four columns in the list would be included in that calculation. Use the Up and Down buttons to adjust the order as needed.

   The column Weight is used for weighted average calculations, such as the "daily weighted average" calculation for financial institutions (in which case the weight would be the number of days in that period). If you are not using weighted averages for this sequence, leave the weight at 1 for each column.

6. Click OK to close the New Column Sequence dialog.

7. To save the new sequence, click Apply (or OK if you are finished editing the table).

Editing a sequence

Column sequence properties can be edited at any time. Keep in mind that changes to a sequence may impact associated calculated fields, drill-through definitions, and data conversion.

The ability to edit column sequences is limited to administrators and to users with the following security permissions: either the global Administer Tables permission, or the Allow changing table structure permission for individual tables.

To edit a sequence:

1. On the Sequences tab of the Edit Table dialog, select the sequence that you want to edit.

   If you are creating a new table, you can manage sequences on the Manage Column Sequences screen of the Create Table wizard.

2. Click Edit Sequence.

3. In the Edit Column Sequence dialog, edit the sequence properties as desired, and then click OK.

4. In the Edit Table dialog, click Apply or OK to save your changes.

Deleting a sequence

You can delete a column sequence from a table. If a sequence has associated calculated fields, those fields will also be deleted when you delete the sequence. If a sequence has associated drill-through definitions, then drill-through drilling will no longer be available for the columns in that sequence.

The ability to delete column sequences is limited to administrators and to users with the following security permissions: either the global Administer Tables permission, or the Allow changing table structure permission for individual tables.

To delete a sequence:

1. On the Sequences tab of the Edit Table dialog, select the sequence that you want to delete.

   If you are creating a new table, you can manage sequences on the Manage Column Sequences screen of the Create Table wizard.

2. Click Delete Sequence.

3. At the confirmation prompt, click Yes.

   The sequence is removed from the list.

4. Click Apply or OK to save your changes.