Data Mining

Tables Or Queries

You can explore any table or query in the current database or use numerous formats such as ODBC, Paradox, Dbase, text, Excel, SQL Server, Fox Pro and any Access database. More

Selection of tables and queries to explore

Aggregate Fields and Functions

Graf-FX will allow you to analyze data using any of the standard SQL aggregate function listed below the example of the different functions in the Launchpad form. You can select from any numerical field in the table or query that you are exploring. More

Sum	Returns the sum of a set of values contained in a specified field on a query
Avg	Calculates the arithmetic mean of a set of values contained in a specified field
Count	Calculates the number of records returned by a query
Max, Min	Return the minimum or maximum of a set of values contained in a specified field on a query
StDev, Var	Return estimates of the standard deviation or variance for a set of values contained in a specified field on a query
First, Last	Return a field value from the first or last record in the result set returned by a query
WgtAvg	Graf-FX also supports a non standard SQL aggregate function that returns the weighted average of a set of values in a field based on the results of data in another field for like rows of data.

Aggregate Right Click Equations

Consolidation

Data mining is all about turning lots of information into understandable packets of data. In graf-fx you do this by selecting a relevant category field in your table or query. Graf-FX will show all the fields in the table or query that you are using.

Access is powerful in its support of functions in the Group By consolidation component of the drilldown queries. This Group By Combines records with identical values in the specified field list into a single record. The usefulness of utilizing a function in a Group By is that alternative means of comparing data can be used rather than just the fields that currently exist in a table. A really useful example is the consolidation of dates where showing information that is collected daily grouped by date would be fairly useless as one years data would show 365 columns to be graphed. So you change the group by consolidation to show the totals for all data in a quarter which would break down the daily data into 4 totals.

If the field that you want to use is a date or numerical field, you can use the Graf-FX flash builder to generate a simple function that will aggregate your data. More

Starting up the flash builder with a right click

Drilldowns

Once you have selected your consolidation group, you can limit the information that you show in your graphs by using the following qualifiers More

Limit your data using these right click qualifiers

3D Drilldowns

Graf-FX will allow you to analyze data using a crosstab query in conjunction with your data mining. A crosstab query displays summarized values (sums, counts, and averages) from one field in a table and groups them by one set of facts listed down the left side of the datasheet and another set of facts listed across the top of the datasheet. More

Examples of the 3D selection and output crosstab query

Filters

Graf-FX has been setup so that you can utilize the power of Microsoft Access’s Filtering techniques in your data mining. You do this by opening the table or query view of the current data source For a Filter By Example, choose a data item in the table that you would like to filter on (in the following example we have selected the region of Brisbane). Right Click in this field to bring up the Filtering Choices and choose Filter By Example or Filter by Form. When you are happy with your form, close the data source and choose Save Design to save the current filter. You can now use this filter to limit the data that you are exploring. More

Filter your data using filter by example and form and save them with your table

Queries And Graphs

When you explore your data with Graf-FX, you are essentially making consolidation queries that you can view either as a query or as a graph. Queries are opened in read-only mode and can be saved away for future use. You also have the option of viewing the query in SQL. Normally though you would explore your data using graphs as it is easier to visualize trends. When you have found a graph that you would like to use in your application, you can use the snapshot button.

Graf-FX uses conventional Access forms with graph objects embedded inside them. The graph displayed above is a smart graph that allows you to change type of graph that you are displaying, show the legend and add the underlying data to the graph.