What Are Formula Calculations?
A formula calculation refers to a mathematical operation or expression that you can build to perform specific tasks within your formulas. These calculations allow you to perform various mathematical tasks, such as adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, and more, directly within your formulas.
TraceGains has recently introduced advanced formula calculation abilities, meaning our software now offers more powerful and versatile mathematical/logical tools. These enhancements make it easier for you to create complex and customized formulas to meet your unique needs. Notably, using the in-site tool can be easier and more efficient than relying on traditional Excel spreadsheets and workbooks running in the background
Read on to explore what you can do with the newest calculation features from TraceGains.
TraceGains Calculations Key Features
Complex Equations
Calculations enable you to create intricate mathematical and/or logical expressions within your formulas. This feature supports the combination of various elements, including data sheet attributes, calculations, constants, operators, subtotals, totals, and more, to design highly customized formulas.
Conditional Statements
You can incorporate conditional statements into your formulas, facilitating the creation of dynamic expressions that adapt to specific conditions or dependencies. This flexibility is crucial for managing evolving requirements and ensuring precise calculations.
Order of Operations
TraceGains' Formula Calculations tool enables you to use calculations or conditional statements inside of other calculations in order to control the order of operations of an equation. The expression area of the configuration tool shows you that the statement is grouped for evaluation.
How to Create a New Calculation
- Fill out the basic information
- Use the Expression Builder
- Determine the Order of Operations, starting with Input and ending with Output.
Basic Information
Name: Enter an easily referenced name that indicates what action the calculation will perform. For example, “Percentage Calculation”.
Type: Choose between Formula Calculation and Conditional.
Use: Select from the drop-down.
Group: Select a Calculation Group
Description: Enter a description that gives further context for the calculation, if necessary. For example: “For calculating volume percentages for liquid formulas”.
Total Row Options: Choose between:
- Sum all the values from each row
- Use this calculation on the total row
- Use this calculation on the total row - show total only
Category Definitions
Before proceeding to create a formula calculation, it is helpful to first understand the available categories. Categories are determined by the ‘Use’ selected when adding any column to a formula.
Attributes: Choose between a Float or Integer script. Integers are whole numbers and Floats are for values containing decimal points. When creating a Conditional calculation, you can also include Text attributes.
Value: A user-added string or numeric value. String values can be used as comparisons inside conditional statements. Numeric values can be used inside calculations, as comparisons in conditionals, or as results of a conditional statement.
Calculations: Add pre-existing calculations to a new calculation for more complex expressions
Conditionals: Adding a conditional to your expression allows you to work with specific subsets of data.
Subtotals: Add a subtotal calculation/column to the new expression
Totals: Add a total calculation/column to the new expression
Expression Builder
Step 1: Select a category to find objects (formula columns) within. The Expression Builder can only account for attributes/configurations you already have in your system. Clicking ‘Subtotals’ will only show subtotal columns you have already established, ‘Attributes’ is limited to Float and Integer types, and so on.
Step 2: Narrow down the category by choosing an attribute, if applicable.
Step 3: Search the results in the text box, if necessary.
Step 4: Click ‘Add’ or double click the row to add the object to your expression.
Step 5: Proceed to the Order of Operations.
Order of Operations
After creating your initial expression, you can either use it as is by dropping it into a formula column, or use it in another calculation in order to control the order of operations in more complex statements.
Important Notes:
● If a calculation will be used in a formula column, select that formula column for use in further calculations.
● If a calculation doesn’t need to be displayed on a formula, use those for building more complex calculations.
● Conditionals can also be used in formula columns, or as building blocks of new calculations.