Add a formula to a search

The new formula editor is part of the new Answer experience. The new Answer experience is on by default. If you have the new Answer experience on, the new version of the Formula Editor appears when you add a formula to a search, but not when you add a formula to a Worksheet. You can turn the new Answer experience on or off individually from the Experience manager panel in your profile. If that option is not available, contact your administrator.

You can add a formula directly within a search. Some common reasons for using a formula in a search are to perform mathematical functions, check for and replace null values, or add conditional logic.

How to add a formula

To create a formula in a search:

  1. Start a new search, or choose an existing Answer to edit.

  2. Open the Data panel from the upper-right corner if it is not open, and select the + icon next to Formulas. If the new Answer experience is off in your environment, select the more options icon more options menu icon in the upper-right side of the table, and select Add formula.

    Click + to add a formula

  3. Name and enter your formula in the Formula Editor. The new Formula Editor supports multi-line wrapping of long formulas. To continue the formula on a new line, press Enter or return on your keyboard. The Editor displays suggestions after you enter at least one character.

    Use the Formula Editor
    Formula elements are color-coded by type and can include the formula operators and functions (blue), the names of columns (purple), and/or constants (black).

  4. You can see a list of formula functions or operators with examples by selecting the help icon ? in the upper-right corner. Use the search bar to search for specific functions. If the new Answer experience is off in your environment, select Formula Assistant. Expand a category, such as Comparison, and select a formula operator for a definition and example.

    Formula Editor help

  5. To change what your formula returns, use the Advanced settings. Select the settings icon Chart configuration icon image in the upper-right corner. If the new Answer experience is off in your environment, select Settings. Depending on your formula, you may be able to change the following aspects:

    • Data type: Determines the type of data that the formula generates. For example, use date for an add_days formula.

    • Measure or attribute: Determines if the output of the formula is a measure or an attribute. For example, choose attribute for a formula that generates age groups, and choose measure for a formula that generates profit.

    • Aggregation: Determines the default aggregation of the formula output. For example, choose min to see minimum profit.

    Advanced settings in the Formula Builder

  6. Select Save. Name your formula, if you did not already name it.

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