A metric is calculated differently depending on its location in the document. For example, a metric placed in a text field on a group header or footer section calculates a subtotal for that grouping level. The same metric in a text field on the Document Header or Footer provides a grand total for the document. The following table describes how metrics are calculated in various locations within a document. The information below the table discusses how metrics are calculated depending on which section of the document they are placed in.
| Metric Location | Metric Calculation | 
| In a text field in Detail section | At the level returned by the dataset report | 
| In a text field in a group header/footer | Totaled at the level of the group | 
| In a text field in the Document Header/Footer or Page Header/Footer | Totaled across entire dataset | 
| In a Grid/Graph control in a group header/footer | At the level defined by the attributes, consolidations, or custom groups on the Grid/Graph, and at the level of the grouping section | 
| In a Grid/Graph control in the Document Header/Footer or Page Header/Footer | At the level defined by the attributes, consolidations, or custom groups on the Grid/Graph | 
Note: If a Grid/Graph does not contain anything other than the metric, the metric returns the same value as if it were placed in a text field in that section. This rule applies regardless of what section the Grid/Graph is located in. For more information on Grids/Graphs, see Using Grid/Graphs in documents.
The metric calculation for totals is determined by the default subtotal specified in the metric definition. To specify the function used to calculate a subtotal, create a summary metric. For steps, see Working with summary metrics in documents.
The MicroStrategy Report Services Document Creation Guide contains detailed examples of metric calculation in documents.
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