In order to filter and capture the right information in your document, functions should be ‘stacked’ in a specific order. Although there are some nuances as to how to structure specific filters and functions to get the desired result, consider the following as a guideline:
1. Filtering
filter
This function refines the data and includes pre-defined as well as ad hoc filters. For more information, please see the article on Using Pre-defined and Ad Hoc Filters to Refine Data.
uniqBy
This function removes duplicates once you have filtered the data appropriately. For more information, please see the article on Removing Duplicates with uniqBy.
2. Grouping
groupBy
This function creates sub-groups of data based on a common variable. For more information, please see the article on Creating Sub-Groups of Data with GroupBy.
lookup
This function uses a common unique variable that exists in different collections to link the two together. For more information, please see the article on Lookup Another Collection.
3. Sorting
orderBy_B / orderBy_A
These functions sorts data, alphabetically or numerically, in ascending or descending order. For more information, please see the article on Sorting and Ordering Data.
4. Operations
count
This function counts the relevant data once it has been filtered and sorted. A simple count function will output a numerical value, but may also be used with logic statements or math operations. For more information, please see Counting Data on counting, Logic & Conditions on the use of count logic, and Math Operations through Document Coding on using count in performing math operations.
sum
This function sums up number-type data to provide an aggregate amount. For more information, please see the article Getting an Aggregate Amount using Sum.
limit
This function limits the amount of data output in a loop. For more information, please see the article on Limiting Data Output in a Collection.
grab
This function fetches data from a specific numerical index position. For more information, please see the article on Grabbing Specific Data.
5. Arranging
roundNum
This function rounds up number-type data to a specified decimal point. For more information, please see the article on Formatting Numbers: roundNum, commaSeparate, numberConvert.
toSentence
This function takes single variables in a collection loop and formats them into sentence structure format. It is only available with single variable construction. For more information, please see the article on Listing Variables in Sentence Format.
time
This function formats time and dates as they need to appear in different documents. The default will show up in ISO format (YYYY-MM-DD). For more information, please see the article on Formatting Dates.
6. Formatting
upper / lower / firstCase
These functions format the case of the variable, in either upper, lower, or first case. For more information, please see the article on Formatting Text: upper, lower, firstCase.
numberConvert
This function converts number-type data into written word format. For more information, please see the article on Formatting Numbers: roundNum, commaSeparate, numberConvert.
commaSeparate
This function formats numbers with a comma separator in the thousandths and millionths places, etc. For more information, please see the article on Formatting Numbers: roundNum, commaSeparate, numberConvert