Step 1: Click on fx button

Once a report is displayed, select the “fx“ symbol on the XpandedReports toolbar. You will see the following screen:

Step 2: Label

Enter the label. This label will be used as your reference for future use.

Step 3: Format

Select the data type format to be displayed. (Example: Currency for commissions or cost)

Step 4: Formula

Create the expression

This is an example of a simple calculation to determine the commission paid when the sales person earns 5% of the sale amount.

As is illustrated by the various formula options available, this can be an extremely powerful feature. It is possible to create reports that follow detailed rules; manipulate text date as well as amounts; and even slice and dice text data in countless ways. There is a function wizard to streamline the process if additional help is needed to create the expression.

Insert a function

By clicking on the formula hyperlink the listing of functions will appear. Notice that at the bottom of the screen shot it provides an explanation of what the formula will do. There is also help available which provides a link to Microsoft's website for Excel-type formulas, or to specific XR documentation, when appropriate. Tips & Hints provides a link to that section of this documentation.
 

For each formula, there is a wizard which will permit choosing the data from the report or typing other data directly into the formula boxes. For example, the CONCATENATE function could be used to merge the first name and last name into one cell with a blank space between the two words.

Step 5: Test

Selecting "Test formula" button displays the following screen, which allows testing of the computed column with different values by simply typing in the criteria to be tested.

Note: Computed columns can include "nested" formulas as well as formulas that contain other computed columns. These columns can be displayed on the report or hidden, like any other column of data.