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Use a Detail List or a Summary List

Overview

A common design question when using the replicator functions NL("Rows") or NL("Columns") is whether to create a "Detail List" or a "Summary List".

  1. Summary List

    A Summary List is always a unique list of values from the field chosen. If the value is repeated in the table, you will only see that value listed one time.

    A typical summary list consists of a replicator function - NL(Rows), NL(Columns) or NL(Sheets) - and data functions such as NL(First), NL(Sum), NL(Count) which reference the replicator.

    The Summary List has a default sort order of ascending based on the field used.

  2. Detail List

    A Detail List will produce a list of records based on the filters chosen.  The replicating function returns a Record Key rather than an individual field from the database.

    A typical Detail List consists of one replicator function (which returns the Record Key) and one or more NF data functions which reference that record key.

    The Detail List has a default sort order of ascending based on the primary key for the table used in the replicator.

How do I decide which is best for my report?

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