Custom Calculations

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Use Custom Calculations to add, subtract, multiply or divide other values in reports.

NOTE-- The Custom Calculations list is only used in a few places-- mainly for calculating values in a few of the financial accounting reports. This list may not be included in all versions of Goldenseal small business software.

Entering Custom Calculations

To enter a Custom Calculation, follow these steps:

  1. Choose Calculations from the Options menu, then choose Custom Calculations from the submenu.
  2. Click the New button, or click on an existing item and click the Edit button.
  3. Fill in details about the calculation.
  4. When you are finished, click OK to save the item, or click Cancel to close the calcuation without saving changes.

Data Fields

Enter the following information for each Custom Calculation:

Name-- Type in a brief name for the calculation. This is the text that will appear in clairvoyant fields. HINT-- It's a good idea to have a name that describes exactly what the calculated value includes, so you'll know what to expect, when making forms or reports.

Description-- Type in any comments you'd like to make about this item.
First Source-- Choose the first calculation type that you'll start with.
First Calculator-- Choose the specific calculation that you'll start with. HINT-- Calculations that show a list instead of a sum are not available, since this calculator only calculates number and money values.

Calculation Type-- Enter the general type of calculation you'll use (described below).
Second Source-- Choose the second calculation type that will be used.
Second Calculator-- Choose the calculation that will be used for the second part of this calculation.

Rounding Method-- Choose No Rounding to use the exact value. Values can also be rounded to the nearest dollar, ten dollars, hundred dollars or thousand dollars.

Layout Tag-- Goldenseal shows you the letter-and-number ID tag that marks this item in report layouts.

Calculation Types and Details

Custom calculations allow you to do math to values from other calculations. The following choices are available:

Add Calculator-- Add a calculator to the previous value.
Subtract Calculator--  Subtract a calculator from the previous value.
Multiply Calculator-- Multiply the previous value by the value of a calculator.
Divide Calculator-- Divide the previous value by the value of a calculator.
Max with Calculator-- Get the larger of two calculators.
Min with Calculator-- Get the smaller of two calculators.

Add Constant-- Add a number to the previous value.
Subtract Constant--  Subtract a number from the previous value.
Multiply Constant-- Multiply the previous value by a number.
Divide Constant-- Divide the previous value by a number.
Max with Constant-- Get the larger of a calculator and a number.
Min with Constant-- Get the smaller of a calculator and a number.

Using Custom Calculations

After you create a Custom Calculation, follow these steps to use it:

  1. Choose Custom Layouts from the Options menu, and choose Printed Forms or Reports from the submenu.
  2. Switch to the report where you'd like to use the calculation.
  3. Click on the Calculator Tool-- the calculator icon in the palette on the left side of the window.
  4. Click on the report and drag a rectangle at the location where you'd like the calculation to appear.
  5. You'll see a list of calculations. Enter Custom into the popup menu at the top.
  6. You'll see a list of Custom calculations (see illustration at right).
  7. Choose the new calculation from the list.
  8. Click OK.

RELATED TOPICS
       Calculations | Reports | Summation Calculations

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