> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://axiom.co/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

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# sum

> This page explains how to use the sum aggregation function in APL.

The `sum` aggregation in APL is used to compute the total sum of a specific numeric field in a dataset. This aggregation is useful when you want to find the cumulative value for a certain metric, such as the total duration of requests, total sales revenue, or any other numeric field that can be summed.

You can use the `sum` aggregation in a wide range of scenarios, such as analyzing log data, monitoring traces, or examining security logs. It’s particularly helpful when you want to get a quick overview of your data in terms of totals or cumulative statistics.

## For users of other query languages

If you come from other query languages, this section explains how to adjust your existing queries to achieve the same results in APL.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Splunk SPL users">
    In Splunk, you use the `sum` function in combination with the `stats` command to aggregate data. In APL, the `sum` aggregation works similarly but is structured differently in terms of syntax.

    <CodeGroup>
      ```splunk Splunk example theme={null}
      | stats sum(req_duration_ms) as total_duration
      ```

      ```kusto APL equivalent theme={null}
      ['sample-http-logs']
      | summarize total_duration = sum(req_duration_ms)
      ```
    </CodeGroup>
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="ANSI SQL users">
    In ANSI SQL, the `SUM` function is commonly used with the `GROUP BY` clause to aggregate data by a specific field. In APL, the `sum` function works similarly but can be used without requiring a `GROUP BY` clause for simple summations.

    <CodeGroup>
      ```sql SQL example theme={null}
      SELECT SUM(req_duration_ms) AS total_duration
      FROM sample_http_logs
      ```

      ```kusto APL equivalent theme={null}
      ['sample-http-logs']
      | summarize total_duration = sum(req_duration_ms)
      ```
    </CodeGroup>
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Usage

### Syntax

```kusto  theme={null}
summarize [<new_column_name> =] sum(<numeric_field>)
```

### Parameters

* `<new_column_name>`: (Optional) The name you want to assign to the resulting column that contains the sum.
* `<numeric_field>`: The field in your dataset that contains the numeric values you want to sum.

### Returns

The `sum` aggregation returns a single row with the sum of the specified numeric field. If used with a `by` clause, it returns multiple rows with the sum per group.

## Use case examples

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Log analysis">
    The `sum` aggregation can be used to calculate the total request duration in an HTTP log dataset.

    **Query**

    ```kusto  theme={null}
    ['sample-http-logs']
    | summarize total_duration = sum(req_duration_ms)
    ```

    [Run in Playground](https://play.axiom.co/axiom-play-qf1k/query?initForm=%7B%22apl%22%3A%22%5B'sample-http-logs'%5D%20%7C%20summarize%20total_duration%20%3D%20sum\(req_duration_ms\)%22%7D)

    **Output**

    | total\_duration |
    | --------------- |
    | 123456          |

    This query calculates the total request duration across all HTTP requests in the dataset.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="OpenTelemetry traces">
    The `sum` aggregation can be applied to OpenTelemetry traces to calculate the total span duration.

    **Query**

    ```kusto  theme={null}
    ['otel-demo-traces']
    | summarize total_duration = sum(duration)
    ```

    [Run in Playground](https://play.axiom.co/axiom-play-qf1k/query?initForm=%7B%22apl%22%3A%22%5B'otel-demo-traces'%5D%20%7C%20summarize%20total_duration%20%3D%20sum\(duration\)%22%7D)

    **Output**

    | total\_duration |
    | --------------- |
    | 7890            |

    This query calculates the total duration of all spans in the dataset.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Security logs">
    You can use the `sum` aggregation to calculate the total number of requests based on a specific HTTP status in security logs.

    **Query**

    ```kusto  theme={null}
    ['sample-http-logs']
    | where status == '200'
    | summarize request_count = sum(1)
    ```

    [Run in Playground](https://play.axiom.co/axiom-play-qf1k/query?initForm=%7B%22apl%22%3A%22%5B'sample-http-logs'%5D%20%7C%20where%20status%20%3D%3D%20'200'%20%7C%20summarize%20request_count%20%3D%20sum\(1\)%22%7D)

    **Output**

    | request\_count |
    | -------------- |
    | 500            |

    This query counts the total number of successful requests (status 200) in the dataset.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## List of related aggregations

* [**count**](/apl/aggregation-function/count): Counts the number of records in a dataset. Use `count` when you want to count the number of rows, not aggregate numeric values.
* [**avg**](/apl/aggregation-function/avg): Computes the average value of a numeric field. Use `avg` when you need to find the mean instead of the total sum.
* [**min**](/apl/aggregation-function/min): Returns the minimum value of a numeric field. Use `min` when you’re interested in the lowest value.
* [**max**](/apl/aggregation-function/max): Returns the maximum value of a numeric field. Use `max` when you’re interested in the highest value.
* [**sumif**](/apl/aggregation-function/sumif): Sums a numeric field conditionally. Use `sumif` when you only want to sum values that meet a specific condition.


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