Calculate the Average of Selected Dropdown Fields Excluding Fields Not Yet Selected

[chrisc61428676]

Hey folks,

I have an evaluation form that is pretty straightforward, in which an evaluator determines a score of 13 criteria by selecting a value of 1-10 in a dropdown.  The dropdown has a blank value (perhaps a single space?), then 1-10 as individual options.  I have a text field that calucates the average of these scores through normal Acrobat functionality. The owner of the form, however, would like for the average to be calculated only by the specific dropdown boxes that have an actual selection. So, if the evaluator has only selected 8 values of the 13 possible, the average is calculated on those 8, rather than providing 5 false "zeros" into the calculation.  I hope this makes sense.  

The dropdowns are named sequentially (Score_1, Score_2, Score_3...).  

My Javascript is not strong, and I'm not sure how best to code a solution.  Any assistance would be appreciated.

[Nesa Nurani · Accepted solution]

In dropdown fields properties under 'Option' tab, select 'Commit selected value immediately'.

Use this as 'Custom calculation script' of text field:

var total = 0;
var x = 0;
for(var i=1; i<=13; i++){
if(this.getField("Score_"+i).valueAsString != " "){
x++;
total += Number(this.getField("Score_"+i).value);}}
if(x == 0)
event.value = "";
else
event.value = total/x;

[try67]

You need to check if the denominator (ie. "x") is zero, not the numerator (ie. "total"), as it's division by zero that's not allowed, not dividing zero by something else.

[Nesa Nurani]

 Yes, you are right that is the proper way to set it and I have changed it, although in this case it was ok since both 'total' and 'x' are 0 or not 0 at the same time. Thanks 🙂

[chrisc61428676]

@Nesa Nurani thank you so much.  This was straightforward and informative, and has done the trick!  I appreciate your time.

If you don't mind, could you walk me through the logic of what the script is doing?  I'm trying to learn, so I can better support my team. Thank you so much.

[Emma36540862r4yl]

Hi

I have a similar to the one above, but in my case their are only 4 options in the dropdown list with the dropdown propoerties as follows: 2,1,0 and "ignore".

In my case if a response is 0 I want it to effect the average, but if the response is "ignore" (or the most most suitable equivalent), it needs to be excluded from the average calculation. I am trying to see if this calculation can work in this case.

My first example will take tha verage of 6 fields, but there will be others with more fields.

Many thanks. I am a complete novice on JavaScript.