Median DataWindow expression function

Description

Calculates the median of the values of the column. The median
is the middle value in the set of values, for which there is an
equal number of values greater and smaller than it.

Syntax

<span>Median</span> ( <span>column</span> { FOR <span>range</span> { DISTINCT { <span>expres1</span> {, <span>expres2</span> {, ... } } } } } )

1	<span>Median</span> ( <span>column</span> { FOR <span>range</span> { DISTINCT { <span>expres1</span> {, <span>expres2</span> {, ... } } } } } )

Argument	Description
column	The column for which you want the median of the data values. Column can be the column name or the column number preceded by a pound sign (#). Column can also be an expression that includes a reference to the column. The datatype of column must be numeric.
FOR range (optional)	The data that will be included in the median. For most presentation styles, values for range are: ALL – (Default) The median of all values in column. GROUP n – The median of values in column in the specified group. Specify the keyword GROUP followed by the group number: for example, GROUP 1. PAGE – The median of the values in column on a page. For Crosstabs, specify CROSSTAB for range: CROSSTAB – (Crosstabs only) The median of all values in column in the crosstab. For Graph and OLE objects, specify one of the following: GRAPH – (Graphs only) The median of values in column in the range specified for the Rows. OBJECT – (OLE objects only) The median of values in column in the range specified for the Rows option.
DISTINCT (optional)	Causes Median to consider only the distinct values in column when determining the median. For a value of column, the first row found with the value is used and other rows that have the same value are ignored.
expresn (optional)	One or more expressions that you want to evaluate to determine distinct rows. Expresn can be the name of a column, a function, or an expression.

Return Values

The numeric datatype of the column. Returns the median of
the values of the rows in range if it succeeds
and –1 if an error occurs.

Usage

If you specify range, Median returns
the median value of column in range.
If you specify DISTINCT, Median returns the median
value of the distinct values in column, or
if you specify expresn, the median of column for
each distinct value of expresn.

For graphs and OLE objects, you do not select the range when
you call the function. The range has already been determined by
the Rows setting on the Data property page (the Range property),
and the aggregation function uses that range.

Settings for Rows include the following:

For the Graph or OLE presentation
style, Rows is always All.
For Graph controls, Rows can be All, Page, or Group.
For OLE controls, Rows can be All, Current Row,
Page, or Group. The available choices depend on the layer the control
occupies.

In calculating the median, null values are ignored.

Not in validation rules or filter expressions

You cannot use this or other aggregate functions in validation
rules or filter expressions.

Using an aggregate function cancels the effect of setting
Retrieve Rows As Needed in the painter. To do the aggregation, a DataWindow object always retrieves
all rows.

Examples

This expression returns the median of the values
in the column named salary:

<span>Median</span>(salary)

1	<span>Median</span>(salary)

This expression returns the median of the values
in the column named salary of group 1:

<span>Median</span>(salary for group 1)

1	<span>Median</span>(salary for group 1)

This expression returns the median of the values
in column 5 on the current page:

<span>Median</span>(#5 for page)

1	<span>Median</span>(#5 for page)

This computed field returns Above Median if the median
salary for the page is greater than the median for the report:

If(<span>Median</span>(salary for page) &gt; <span>Median</span>(salary), "Above<br>Median", " ")

1	If(<span>Median</span>(salary for page) > <span>Median</span>(salary), "Above<br>Median", " ")

This expression for a graph value sets the data value
to the median value of the sale_price column:

<span>Median</span>(sale_price)

1	<span>Median</span>(sale_price)

This expression for a graph value entered on the
Data page in the graph’s property sheet sets the data value
to the median value of the sale_price column for the entire
graph:

<span>Median</span>(sale_price for graph)

1	<span>Median</span>(sale_price for graph)

Assuming a DataWindow object displays the order number,
amount, and line items for each order, this computed field returns
the median of the order amount for the distinct order numbers:

<span>Median</span>(order_amt for all DISTINCT order_nbr)

1	<span>Median</span>(order_amt for all DISTINCT order_nbr)

Median – PB Docs 126