Creating summary metrics in documents

A summary metric is essentially a shortcut to a subtotal. It allows you to select the function to use to calculate the subtotal (that is, a summary). If you use a metric from a dataset report rather than a summary metric, the default subtotal function is used to subtotal the metric. This is set in the metric definition and cannot be changed in the document.

Other than this explicit aggregation, summary metrics are similar to other metrics used in documents. For instance, a summary metric is calculated differently depending on its location in the document. You can reuse a summary metric in different places within the same document.

In the Dataset Objects panel, summary metrics are listed with a summary metric icon.

The MicroStrategy Report Services Document Creation Guide contains a more detailed explanation of summary metrics in documents, as well as examples.

To create a summary metric

Open the document in Design Mode or Editable Mode.
Right-click the metric in Dataset Objects, point to Insert Summary Metric, and select the function to use. The new summary metric is added to the appropriate dataset in Dataset Objects.
You can rename the summary metric. To do so, right-click the summary metric in Dataset Objects and select Rename. The Rename/Edit Objects dialog box opens. Change the name and click OK.

You can use the summary metric as you would any other dataset object. You can drag and drop it from the Dataset Objects to the document layout area to place it into the document.

To delete a summary metric

Open the document in Design Mode or Editable Mode.
Right-click the summary metric in Dataset Objects and select Delete From Document.