05 miscellaneous factors parameter entry
Miscellaneous Factors of Parameter Entry
Even though numeric comparisons will show only the right-hand digits of constants, all of the digits used in that field are stored in the parameters. For instance, the equation “TOTWc > $10” is stored as “TOTWc > 00000000010” (without the dollar sign (“$”)). A tax rate comparison value will show a decimal point on the screen, but it is removed (along with the percent sign) in the stored parameters. A “10.214%” tax rate is stored as “10214”. The value range must use two values of the same type as the “Field Ident” (so that, for instance, total wages cannot be checked for a range of “1000” to “ABCD”). When a percentage value is used (only as an “add-on” in the “Ending Value” column), it will be padded to use a 3-digit number before the percentage sign (e.g., “5%” will change to “005%”). Note that a tax rate comparison add-on can either be used to show a “point change” or a percentage difference. For instance, if you want to select accounts with a taxable wage increase of at least 1 percentage point and a 25% increase in value, the add-ons would appear as “by 1.000%” and “by 025%”, respectively. This may be confusing, but needs only to be distinguished by their appearance; the decimal point shows a point-value difference.
Any alpha-numeric field (not requiring strictly numeric digits) can be compared against spaces. Whenever the comparison field is left blank, the redisplay will show quotation marks to note how many characters are being used for the blank-value comparison. When a named field is used, the field length (stored internally) will be used as the delimiter for the spaces; however, the maximum number of spaces that can be used is 13, so that the 15-byte comparison field can be fully displayed with quotation marks in the beginning and ending character position.
Note: Even with sample parameters, descriptions and explanations here, the entry of parameters for the 040D job can get confusing and complicated. The EXPO support staff is available to assist you in defining parameters and conditions so you can get the correct report. If you have problems or uncertainty, call the EXPO hotline at 877-614-3387.
Several data selection samples are described in the next pages. Along with the statement of the desired goal, each lists how to set the parameters to obtain the desired results. In setting up these conditions, keep in mind that the And/Or combining codes will either add to the previous conditions with extra criteria that must also be true (with an “AND” or “A” code), or begin a new set of selection specifications that are independent of those already shown (using an “OR” or “O” code). Hopefully, their use will become clear in the problems that follow.
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