ACC: Incorrect Results Received with DSum() Function

• Microsoft Access versions 1.0, 1.1, 2.0, 7.0, 97

SYMPTOMS

Moderate: Requires basic macro, coding, and interoperability skills.

When you run a DSum() function, you receive incorrect results.

CAUSE

The DSum() function returns a set of values in a specified set of records (domain). Typically, you use this function in a text box control on a report to total the values from a field in a table or query.

If you omit the surrounding quotation marks from the expression argument, you don't see the expected error message. Instead, you see a value that is derived by taking the last value of the field from the report and summing it x number of times (once for each record in the table or query).

RESOLUTION

Surround each argument in the Dsum() function with quotation marks.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

The following example is based on the sample database Northwind.mdb (or NWIND.MDB in version 1.x or 2.0)

1. Create a new form based on the Orders table and save it as MyTestForm.

2. Add the following text boxes to the detail section of the form.

         Text Box:
            Name: Incorrect
            ControlSource: =DSum([Freight],"Orders")
         Text Box
            Name: Correct
            ControlSource: =DSum("[Freight]","Orders")
         Text Box
            Name: FreightField
            ControlSource: =[freight]
   
   

3. View the form in Form view. The amount showing in the control "Incorrect" is the amount of the Freight field, multiplied by the total number of records in the Orders table. The amount in the "Correct" control is the correct sum of all the freight in the Orders table.

REFERENCES

For more information about the Dsum() function, search the Help Index for "Dsum."