Using the Advanced Editor for DataViews

To set up formulas or expressions for custom columns or summaries in DataViews, you must use the Advanced Editor. This editor can be accessed only from the Custom Columns form or the Select Summaries form.

To set up a formula or expression for a custom column or a custom summary in a DataView:

  1. To launch the Advanced Editor, perform one of these actions in the Custom Columns form or the Select Summaries form:
    • Specify a Name for a new column and then click Add.
    • Select an existing column/summary to edit and click Advanced Editor.

    When the editor opens, if you are creating a new custom column/summary, the Enter Formula/Expression field is empty. If you are editing an existing column/summary, the Enter Formula/Expression field displays the current formula or expression that you selected to edit.

  2. To create or edit the formula or expression, you can specify the formula or expression directly into the Enter Formula/Expression field, or you can use these options in the editor to help build the formula or expression:
    Enter Formula/Expression
    This field shows the formula or expression as it currently exists, if it exists. If there are errors in the formula or expression as it currently exists, the error is highlighted in a red box at the bottom of this field, and Hint/Tip text displays near the formula/expression itself. You can specify or edit the formula/expression directly in this field, or you can use the other buttons and options in this editor to help you construct the formula/expression.
    Clear button
    Click this button to clear the Enter Formula/Expression field.
    Operator buttons
    The buttons to the right of the Clear button are standard operator buttons you can use to build the formula or expression.
    Operands group box
    For most uses, you only need to understand the Controls tree. The Named References tree is not currently used.

    Under Controls, there is a branch for each IDO that is represented in the DataView. You can use these branches to select the properties you want to use in your formula or expression. Double-click a property to add it to the Enter Formula/Expression field.

    Functions group box
    This group box includes a variety of typical functions you might want to use as part of your formula or expression. Double-click a function in any branch of this list to add the basic function syntax into the Enter Formula/Expression field. You are prompted for the remaining information, both required and optional.
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