The Define Field by Table command allows you to create a field in the current database from a table previously stored in any one of a number of libraries, including Benefit Component Tables, Decrement Tables and Salary Scale Tables. When you select this command, the Define Field by Table dialog box appears.

Field to define is the field that will be overwritten with new values, the values from your table. If the desired field in not in the list, click the New Field button to add it to the Data Dictionary (or unhide it in the current Project). The field to be defined may exist in the database or it may be a new field. If the field already exists, the new data will replace existing data in the field.

Click the New Field button add a field to the Data Dictionary (or unhide a field in the current Project).

Type of Table is the library where your table is located. Choosing a table type updates the list of tables.

Table to Use is the table to look up values from. If your table is not listed, make sure that you have first selected the correct Type of Table.

Selection Expression limits the number of records that will be processed. Only records that meet the selection criterion will be processed. If the field being defined does not yet exist, the field value for unselected records will be set to a missing value. If the field already exists, the values in unselected records will not be altered.

Click the Other Parameters button to specify lookup fields. Lookup fields define age, entry age, and/or sex depending on the type of table selected.

Description may be any descriptive phrase, including spaces, under which to save this entry.

Attained age field is the database field that defines attained age. You can optionally refer to a "date of birth" field instead of an "attained age" field.

Attained age rounding methodology turns exact attained age into a table index (which must be an integer). For attained age tables, interpolated values can be obtained by using an exact age rounding methodology.

For two dimensional tables (hire age by attained age or select & ultimate), entry age can be defined by way of hire age or attained service:

Hire age field is the database field that defines entry age. You can optionally refer to a “date of hire” field instead a “hire age” field.

Hire age rounding methodology turns exact hire age into a table index (which must be an integer).

Service field is the database field that defines service. You can optionally refer to a “service start date” field instead of a “service” field.

Service rounding methodology turns exact service into a table index (which must be an integer).

Sex field is the database field that defines sex. The sex field must be a coded field. Once you have selected the field for sex, the two multi-choice fields labeled "Male" and "Female" will become unghosted.

Male sex code determines which records are male for sex distinct tables. The list of choices comes from the codes and labels you entered for your selected sex field in the Data Dictionary.

Female sex code determines which records are female for sex distinct tables. The list of choices comes from the codes and labels you entered for your selected sex field in the Data Dictionary.

Date calculated as of completes the calculation of age and/or service where based on a date.