Classifying and summarizing are similar methods of grouping data, but they have different options and process data in different ways. You can classify or summarize sorted or unsorted tables.
You must summarize instead of classify if you want to do any of the following:
- work with a datetime key field
- use multiple key fields
- include non-key fields in the output table
|
Requirement |
Classifying |
Summarizing |
|---|---|---|
|
Calculates and reports the number of times a key field value appears in a table |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Computes and displays subtotals for selected numeric fields |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Computes and displays average, minimum, and maximum values for subtotaled numeric fields |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Computes and displays percentages |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Computes and displays additional statistical values for subtotaled numeric fields (standard deviation, median, mode, first and third quartile) |
No |
Yes |
|
Key field can be character |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Key field can be numeric |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Key field can be datetime |
No |
Yes |
|
Multiple key fields allowed |
No |
Yes |
|
Include non-key fields in output |
No |
Yes |
|
Primary processing location |
RAM |
Hard disk |
|
Key field length restriction |
Yes (maximum 2048 characters) |
No |
|
Sorts output results |
Yes |
Yes (Presort selected) No (Presort not selected) |
|
Output to table, screen, or print |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Output to graph |
Yes |
No |
