total (column_a for [name], [team], [location], [region]) ???????

[rhythmz]

I am having an issue with grouping. What does the following mean:

total (column_a for [name], [team], [location], [region])

I am new to 8.4 and grouping was done totally different in 7.3 and I have not found this particular style of grouping in any user guide so I am hoping someone can explain why you would relate to multiple grouped items with a single value being returned. Is that value supposed to be the first listed in the definition, the smallest granularity of those grouped columns defined, or the largetst, or....

I am lost...

[cognos_guru]

I've done calculations like this in the past when working with crosstabs that have multiple dimensions. In this case, the dimensions would be name, team, location, and region. 

The total displayed would be the total of column_a with across all of those dimensions used.

[rhythmz]

I am NOT working with dimensional data, so I believe I can disregard this logic? In 8.4, I just need to total a column for only one grouping? I noticed 'Group Span' in the properties window as well.

I know in 7.3 you created a calc associated to one grouping and then passed that result set into another calc at a higher grouping level and so forth. correct?

Thank you very much for responding with great info!!!