SAS VA - Difference between 'Aggregated Measure' and a 'Calculated Item'

[ndonnelly1]

I am a little confused when it comes to choosing between an Aggregated Measure and a Calculated Item, they seem to me to have the same functionality. Could someone provide an example of the difference and when to either option. 

[Sam_SAS · Accepted solution]

Hello,

A calculated item is evaluated at the row level whereas an aggregated measure is evaluated in an aggregated context.

Generally speaking, you can use a calculated item anywhere in VA you can use a normal data item (category, measure, or date).

Aggregated measures can be used only in a report object where the data is being aggregated. For example, you cannot display an aggregated measure in a list table that shows detail data.

There are certain types of expressions that can only be used in an aggregated measure, like the periodic operators used to calculate year-to-date.

Hopefully that clears things up a little bit. For the most part if you are not sure which one to use, then you probably want a calculated item.

Sam

[ndonnelly1]

Great ! That clears it up, thank-you.