---
bc-version: [all]
domain: performance
keywords: [query, grouping, aggregate, intermediate-results, temporary-buffer, persistent-writes, calcsums, modify, method-sum]
technologies: [al]
countries: [w1]
application-area: [all]
---

# Aggregate source rows before persisting completed results

## Description

A batch may repeatedly calculate the same group total while inserting and updating persistent working rows, even though only one completed result per group is needed. An AL Query with `Method = Sum` groups by its other output columns, so the required grain can often be computed from qualifying source rows before writing final output. This is a data-path change, not a blanket replacement for posting or for intermediate rows needed for recovery or business behavior.

## Best Practice

Specify the output grain and whether absent groups should produce zero rows. Apply source filters (including cutoff dates), aggregate at exactly that grain, and write only completed results; a small temporary buffer can separate the query from persistent output, but streaming or bounded units may be better for large grouped sets. Avoid a one-to-many join that duplicates quantities or an extra output column that silently changes the grouping. Preserve security filters, signs, units, FlowFilters, relevant master-data restrictions, transaction/trigger behavior, and acceptable read consistency; a shared date cutoff does not create a snapshot. Compare complete keyed outputs and measure source reads, repeated calculations, temporary memory, and persistent writes. See sample: [`aggregate-before-persisting-intermediate-results.good.al`](aggregate-before-persisting-intermediate-results.good.al).

## Anti Pattern

For an output that only needs one signed total per item/location with qualifying entries, summing the same source range and rewriting a persistent summary for *every* entry. Do not flag incremental persisted state that is required for locking, resumability, or downstream processing, or require an in-memory copy of all raw history to perform SQL grouping. See sample: [`aggregate-before-persisting-intermediate-results.bad.al`](aggregate-before-persisting-intermediate-results.bad.al).

## References

- [Aggregating data in query objects](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-query-totals-grouping).
- [Query performance](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/optimize-sql-query-objects-and-performance).
- [Buffered inserts](preserve-buffered-inserts-by-separating-target-reads.md).