Calculating New Items Using Existing Database Items

For example, suppose, you want to include the Sales-to Average Working Capital ratio in your report for a portfolio. You can create this item using the DBCM items 80 (Annual Sales), 88 (Annual Total Current Assets), and 89 (Annual Total Current Liabilities).

Working Capital is calculated as the difference between the current assets and current liabilities. To create an average Working Capital we will use the average Total Current Assets and the average Total Current Liabilities.

To create the Sales-to Average Working Capital ratio using the Direct Method (manually typing in the calculation expression), follow these steps:

  1. Select a Ticker List first.
  2. From the Report menu, select the Add Calculations Expression command or click the Add Calculations Expression button.
  3. The Calculation Expression window will be displayed.
  4. Type the following formula in the Calculation Expression data entry box:
    i80/((i88+i88[-1])-(i89+i89[-1])/2)
  5. Click OK.
  6. The calculated item will be added to the Report Definition table.

Note: To create the above calculation using your mouse, select the items and operators by double clicking them from the corresponding sections of the Calculation Expression window.

Naming Calculated Item

When you create a calculated item for your screens and reports, the item will appear in the formula format (for example: i80/((i88+i88[-1])-(i89+i89[-1])/2)).

You can name the calculated item used in your screens and reports (the name will appear in the Report Definition table and in printed reports, the Screening Criteria table will display the items' formula or calculation).

To name a calculated item, follow these steps:

  1. After defining a calculated item, click on that items at the Report Definition table and then click your right mouse button to display the edit report menu.
  2. Select the Modify command.
  3. The Modify Column dialog box will appear.
  4. At the Column Name section, type the item name using, if needed, two lines for the names (for example: Sales-to Average Working Capital).
  5. Click OK when done entering a name.

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