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sqlms-access

How to SUM two fields within an SQL query

I need to get the total of two fields which are within the same row and input that number in a field at the end of that same row.

This is my code. 

Sum(tbl1.fld1 + tbl1.fld2) AS [Total]

Is this what the SUM function is used for, or can you only use the SUM function for getting the total of a column?

Thanks

Solution

  • SUM is an aggregate function. It will calculate the total for each group. + is used for calculating two or more columns in a row.

    Consider this example,

    ID  VALUE1  VALUE2
===================
1   1       2
1   2       2
2   3       4
2   4       5

     

    SELECT  ID, SUM(VALUE1), SUM(VALUE2)
FROM    tableName
GROUP   BY ID

    will result

    ID, SUM(VALUE1), SUM(VALUE2)
1   3           4
2   7           9

     

    SELECT  ID, VALUE1 + VALUE2
FROM    TableName

    will result

    ID, VALUE1 + VALUE2
1   3
1   4
2   7
2   9

     

    SELECT  ID, SUM(VALUE1 + VALUE2)
FROM    tableName
GROUP   BY ID

    will result

    ID, SUM(VALUE1 + VALUE2)
1   7
2   16