System Administrator Scenarios › How to Create a Custom Object › Create Attributes › Create a Calculated Attribute › Build an Expression for the Attribute

Build an Expression for the Attribute

Build an expression to calculate a value for the new attribute. You can use one of the following methods:

• Generate the expression in Studio.

  For example, a generated expression for the sum of three numbers (num1, num2, and num3) appears in the Expression text box in the following format:

  Sum(num1, num2, num3)

• Manually enter the expression.

  Use the following unary operators: +, -, *, and / when the result data type is Number. For example, you can manually enter the sum of three numbers can be entered manually in the Expression text box as (num1+num2+num3). The unary operators replace the Add, Sum, Multiply, Divide, and Subtract functions.

Follow these steps:

1. With the calculated attribute open, click the Build Calculated Attribute link located in the Calculation field.
2. Select the appropriate function in the Function field.
3. Select the number of arguments in the Argument Number field.

   If the selected function has a specific number of arguments, the field is read-only. If you can vary the number of arguments in the function, make a selection from the drop-down list.

4. Create the arguments for the function expression by selecting one of the following options for each argument listed:
   • Constant. The value that remains the same for all calculations.
   • Attribute Name (ID). The attribute for which values are included in the calculation. The list shows the available object attribute names for the data type selected (number, string, or date).
   • Sub-expression. The option that allows you to embed an expression within the expression that you are building for the calculation.
5. Click Generate

   The function expression in the Expression text box is generated.

6. If you selected the Sub-expression argument option, complete the following steps:
   1. In the Generate Expression for field, select the name of the sub-expression.
   2. In the Function field, select the function that defines the purpose of the sub-expression.
   3. Select and define the arguments for the sub-expression.
   4. Click Generate.

      The defined arguments for the sub-expression in the whole expression is included.

7. After all sub-expressions are defined for the whole expression, click Validate to verify that the expression syntax is correct and make any necessary adjustments.
8. Save your changes.

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