Using the Formula Builder page
The Formula Builder page enables you to add, change, and delete formulas. Before using the page, you must connect to a data source and check out the dimensions.
The left section of the page contains the Schedule list. This list sets the left hand of the equation for line types that involve user defined formulas. You can go to the schedule line through the schedule hierarchy or use the Search Tree box.
The Line Type list enables you to change the line type. Line types are explained later in this chapter.
The Formula edit section is where you add or edit a formula. To add or edit a formula, you must check out the dimensions. The line type must also support a user defined formula. If these conditions are not met, the formula cannot be edited. These line types do not support user defined formulas:
- Data entry
- Beginning balance
- Opening balance
- Intercompany account
- Acquisition
Selecting a line type that supports formulas automatically adds
[member]= to the edit section.
The right side of the page is the Members list. This list sets the right hand side of the equation in user defined formulas. You can go to a member through the member hierarchy or use the Search Tree box. Click to hide this section. If the list is hidden, click Show to display the list. You can drag and drop members from this list into the formula.
Click Show Functions to show the function buttons. If you are defining a new formula, clicking a function button automatically adds the correct syntax to the formula pane.
Click Show Examples to show example formulas.
This table shows the page options:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Connect | List of CPM models. |
| Activity | List of commands to check in, check out, or undo a check out. |
| Release | Copy the changes from the authorized database to the production database that is accessed by end users. |
|
Save the changes to an uncommitted holding area within the authorized database, if validation succeeds. |
|
Refresh the page to the last saved state. |
 /
|
The Undo option reverts the last change in the edit section. The Redo option reverts the last undo action. Note that a Save clears the undo list. |
 /
|
Add and remove indentation from the selected rows. |
| Find/Replace | Find, and optionally, replace the specified string in the edit section. |
| Comment/Uncomment | Add or remove comment characters to the line. We recommend you add comments to your formulas for colleagues to have a better understanding of the purpose of the formula calculations, any assumptions that were made with the formula calculations, and if there are any dependencies on other formula calculations. |
| Validate | Check the basic syntax of the formula. |