AX1531

Nested and parallel Axiom queries

Multiple Axiom queries can interact to result in certain desired presentations of data. The two most common ways for Axiom queries to interact with each other is to set up nested Axiom queries or parallel Axiom queries.

Neither of these terms refer to specific query options that can be enabled or disabled. Instead, the terms are used to describe two different ways to configure multiple Axiom queries together within a sheet.

Nested Axiom queries

Nested Axiom queries refers to a configuration where one Axiom query is used to build out the tags for another Axiom query. The classic example of a nested configuration is where Axiom Query 1 builds out multiple data ranges for Axiom Query 2.

For example, imagine that you want to display payroll accounts in distinct blocks by department, including subtotals for each department. Axiom Query 1 can query the department table to bring in each department. The calc method for Axiom Query 1 builds out the insert control column for Axiom Query 2, by creating distinct sets of filtered data range tags—one per department. The calc method also includes the subtotal calculation for the data to be brought in by Axiom Query 2. Axiom Query 2 can query the appropriate payroll data table, populating each data range with the appropriate payroll rows for each department.

Although it would be possible to achieve the same effect with one query, that single query would require much more manual set up and it would not automatically adjust for changes to the department table. The nested approach is a more efficient and flexible way to meet this kind of need, especially if you want to continue to nest the results by 3 or even 4 levels.

Another common example of nested Axiom queries is where a horizontal query builds out the field definition for a vertical query. Although what the query builds out is different, the basic concept is the same—the second query depends on the first query and adjusts based on what the first query builds out.

Parallel Axiom queries

Parallel Axiom queries refers to a configuration where two separate queries are used to update the same set of rows. The data range tags for each query may be placed on the same rows, but in different insert control columns.

The primary reason to use parallel Axiom queries is when you need to bring two or more distinct sets of data into the same set of rows. If the data can be joined then it can be included in a single Axiom query, but if it cannot be joined then you must use separate queries.

Typically all of the parallel Axiom queries will be set to update-only, so that the rows remain static as each query updates its designated data in the data range. However you could also have a setup where one "parent" query first builds out the rows, including the necessary data range tags for the other parallel queries, which would then run as update-only. In this way the queries can be considered both nested and parallel.

AX1531