Calculate sum of multiple numbers

[Tchurch]

Bear with me as this might be a two-part question.  Is there a way to find the sum of multiple numbers in a list of values?  Here's my method for getting the values:

1. I have an apply to each that gets specific values from JSON data. 

2. I used the concat function to put all the numbers together using Compose.  It looks like it's putting quotes around the values, so maybe that's part of the problem and this needs to be converted to an array first.

Whether or not the quotes are inhibiting my ability to add the numbers together, I'm not aware of any method to add more than two numbers together in Flow.  Does anyone know how this could be accomplished?

[RezaDorrani · Accepted solution]

Hi @Tchurch 

Your numbers are in string format

you would have to typecast it to int 

example int("5")

In order to get some of your array of numbers (string format)

Create a variable of type integer called total and initialize it to 0 

Create a variable of type integer called temp and initialize it to 0

run a for loop on your array of numbers

within for loop

Set variable temp to following expression

add( variables('total'),int(item()))

and then set variable total to variable temp (within for loop)

After the execution, you should have your total variable populated with sum of your numbers

Regards,

Reza Dorrani

If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly

[ScottShearer]

@Tchurch 

Rather than using Compsoe, try the following:

1. Deaclare/Initialize a variable of type integer or float
2. In your apply to each action, use the Increment variable action to add the value to the number stored in the variable

Please let me know if this works for you.

[Tchurch]

@RezaDorrani This worked perfectly, thank you so much!  It took a little fiddling to figure out exactly how to implement it, but I finally got it to return the total of the numbers in the array (which had to be converted to integers first).  Here's a screenshot of my final setup in case anyone needs to do this also.

[RezaDorrani]

Hi @Tchurch 

Glad it worked out !!! 🙂

[PriyaGupta]

@Tchurch

 Can you explain it more briefly by expanding the actions and what parameters have you passed on the set variable action for adding 2 numbers. 

 As if I do the same I'm facing error :

Invalid Template. Unable to process template language expressions in action 'Set variable' inputs at line '1' and column '2764': 'The template language function 'add' expects its first parameter to be an integer or a decimal number. The provided value is of type 'String'. Please see https://aka.ms/logicexpressions#add for usage details.'.

Please suggest. 

 

 

 

[Hameed_Hussain]

@PriyaGupta 

This error happens when you add two variables directly to the add function. 

For example, if your initial variables are x1, x2

add('x1', 'x2') will return this error because notice the variables are passed as strings and add is expecting integer or decimal

The solution for this is:

add(variables('x1'), variables('x2')) - This will add the numbers correctly

However, if you have requirement of adding multiple numbers,

add(variables('x1'), variables('x2'), variables('x3')) will NOT work

You can do the sum of multiple variables using the add function nested loop

For example if you have to sum 5 variables, this will work

add(variables('x1'),add(variables('x2'),add(variables('x3'),add(variables('x4'),variables('x5')))))

[donalmc]

@Hameed_Hussain - thank you so much for the nested add tip - I've been shaking my head at the increment method and going, there has to be a better way! 

[Hameed_Hussain]

@donalmc Glad it worked out

[emoncada]

Thank you @Hameed_Hussain , it works in a simple way for me!

[Rob_CTL]

Hi @Hameed_Hussain 

I am just trying do get the nested solution to work, my function is:

add(variables('YardValue'),add(variables('JobValue'),add(variables('PlantValue'),add(variables('LabourValue')))))

Which I believe is correct but I get the following error when I run the flow:

Unable to process template language expressions in action 'MultipleSum' inputs at line '1' and column '14480': 'The template language function 'add' expects two numeric parameters: the first summand as the first parameter and the seccond summand as the second parameter. The function was invoked with '1' parameter(s). Please see https://aka.ms/logicexpressions#add for usage details.'.

Any thoughts or guidance gratefully received

Rob

[emoncada]

Hi Rob, the error is in your last part of the expression, its only "variables" without "add". for instance I have used this expression without problems.

-

add(variables('Q1'),add(variables('Q2'),add(variables('Q3'),add(variables('Q4'),add(variables('Q5'),add(variables('Q6'),add(variables('Q7'),add(variables('Q8'),add(variables('Q9'),variables('Q10'))))))))))

Regards

Eduardo

[Rob_CTL]

@emoncada brilliant, thanks for pointing that out...my tired eyes completely missed that.

[juresti]

@Tchurch 

That compose method is a great idea.

I was looking to do exactly this.

I'm adding multiple columns - same line in a spreadsheet and I use the compose to dynamically make the array of each line and then add each value to the sum variable in a loop like @RezaDorrani  suggested.

Works great since I am only processing the data, the compose keeps it very minimal and de-cluttered.

Just a note, I was going to build a whole add(add(int( .. . formula to add the columns. It would have been a mess.