Formula fields are used to calculate different types of values, including numeric values, text values, date values, etc. Formula fields and their resulting return value have certain data types associated with them and there are specific operators that can be used for each data type. It is necessary to understand the type of fields required for creating formula fields and the compatibility between the data types and the operators. For instance, the operator " * " (for multiplication) is used on numeric values and not on text values.

• You cannot modify the Return type for the formula fields.
• Maximum 1000 characters can be used in the formula expression.

 Create Numeric Formula Field

The following table helps you to understand the type of arguments required for numeric functions along with the type of syntax that needs to be formed.

To create numeric type formula fields

1. Log in to Zoho Platform and select the application in which the field has to be added.
2. Click Customize > Fields.
3. Click the required module in which the field has to be added from the Module List drop-down list box and click New Custom Field.
   Module refers to the Leads, Accounts, Contacts, etc. tabs.
4. In the Create Custom Field page, select the field type as Formula.
5. In the Provide Field Details window, do the following:
   • Enter a name in the Field Label field..
   • Select Number/Currency as the Formula Return Type from the drop-down list.
   • In the case of Number and Currency Return Type fields, enter a value for Decimal places.
   
   Constructing Formulas
6. Under Select Functions, select Numeric Functions from the drop-down list.
7. From the list of Numeric Functions, choose a function and click Insert.
   (Alternatively, you can double-click on a function to insert)
8. In the Formula expression, click between the parenthesis to insert an argument.
9. Under Select Field column, choose a field and click Insert.
   (Alternatively, you can double-click on a field to insert)
10. Under Select Operator column, choose an operator and click Insert.
11. Click Check Syntax to check the construction of the formula.
12. Click Save.

 Create String Formula Field

The following table helps you to understand the type of arguments required for formula functions along with the type of syntax that needs to be formed.

To create String type formula fields

1. Log in to Zoho Platform and select the application in which the field has to be added.
2. Click Customize > Fields.
3. Click the required module in which the field has to be added from the Module List drop-down list box and click New Custom Field.
   Module refers to the Leads, Accounts, Contacts, etc. tabs.
4. In the Create Custom Field page, select the field type as Formula.
    
5. In the Provide Field Details window, do the following:
   • Enter a name in the Label field.
   • Select String as the Formula Return Type from the drop-down list.
   
   Constructing Formulas
6. Under Select Functions, select String Functions from the drop-down list.
7. From the list of String Functions, choose a function and click Insert.
   (Alternatively, you can double-click on a function to insert)
8. In the Formula expression, click between the parenthesis to insert an argument.
9. Under Select Field column, choose a field and click Insert.
   (Alternatively, you can double-click on a field to insert)
10. Under Select Operator column, choose an operator and click Insert.
11. Click Check Syntax to check the construction of the formula.
12. Click Save.

 Create DateTime Formula Field

The following table helps you to understand the type of arguments required for DateTime functions along with the type of syntax that needs to be formed.

1. The input DateTime argument format should always be YYYY,MM,DD,HH,MM,AM/PM but the output will be displayed as per the selected Country Locale.
2. The string data type (YEAR/DAY/MONTH/HOUR/MINUTE) should be in UPPERCASE.
3. The resulting return value for the Datecomp function is always displayed in minutes.
4. If the date value is "0" the function returns null.

To create date time type formula fields

1. Log in to Zoho Platform and select the application in which the field has to be added.
2. Click Customize > Fields.
3. Click the required module in which the field has to be added from the Module List drop-down list box and click New Custom Field.
   Module refers to the Leads, Accounts, Contacts, etc. tabs.
4. In the Create Custom Field page, select the field type as Formula.
    
5. In the Provide Field Details window, do the following:
   • Enter a name in the Label field.
   • Select DateTime as the Formula Return Type from the drop-down list.
   
   Constructing Formulas
6. Under Select Functions, select DateTime Functions from the drop-down list.
7. From the list of DateTime Functions, choose a function and click Insert.
   (Alternatively, you can double-click on a function to insert)
8. In the Formula expression, click between the parenthesis to insert an argument.
9. Under Select Field column, choose a field and click Insert.
   (Alternatively, you can double-click on a field to insert)
10. Under Select Operator column, choose an operator and click Insert.
11. Click Check Syntax to check the construction of the formula.
12. Click Save.

 Create Boolean Formula Field

The following table helps you to understand the type of arguments required for boolean functions along with the type of syntax that needs to be formed.

* Generic implies any data type - Number, String, Datetime (including normal date) or Boolean. The return type depends on the selected data type. For instance, if the generic data type is a number, the return type should be Numeric and not string or boolean.

To create boolean type formula fields

1. Log in to Zoho Platform and select the application in which the field has to be added.
2. Click Customize > Fields.
3. Click the required module in which the field has to be added from the Module List drop-down list box and click New Custom Field.
   Module refers to the Leads, Accounts, Contacts, etc. tabs.
4. In the Create Custom Field page, select the field type as Formula.
    
5. In the Provide Field Details window, do the following:
   • Enter a name in the Label field.
   • Select Boolean Functions as the Formula Return Type from the drop-down list.
   
   Constructing Formula
6. Under Select Functions, select Boolean Functions from the drop-down list.
7. From the list of Boolean Functions, choose a function and click Insert.
   (Alternatively, you can double-click on a function to insert)
8. In the Formula expression, click between the parenthesis to insert an argument.
9. Under Select Field column, choose a field and click Insert.
   (Alternatively, you can double-click on a field to insert)
10. Under Select Operator column, choose an operator and click Insert.
11. Click Check Syntax to check the construction of the formula.
12. Click Save.

 Formula Syntax Reference

The following table displays the functional reference for creating formulae along with their available arguments.

 Numeric Functions

 String Functions

 DateTime Functions

 Boolean Functions

 Related Topics

Standard Fields  | Custom Fields  | Formula Field Data types  | Formula Functions