Formula dialog box

Use the Formula dialog box to create, review, or revise a formula that's associated with a custom field. If you know the correct syntax, you can type in a formula, or you can:

Choose from a set of buttons representing a standard set of operators.
Insert the name of any project field to have the formula use the field's value.
Insert a predefined function into the formula.
Import a formula from another project file.

Dialog box location

On the Tools menu, point to Customize, and then click Fields. Click the custom field to which you want to apply a formula, and then click the Formula button.

Details

Edit formula box

Type the formula for the custom field in the box, or use the buttons to build the formula.

Formula toolbar

Addition Button image Adds one value to another. For example, 6+3=9 (6 plus 3 equals 9).

Subtraction Button image Subtracts one value from another. For example, 6-3=3 (6 minus 3 equals 3).

Multiplication Button image Multiplies one value by another. For example, 6*3=18 (6 multiplied by 3 equals 18).

Division Button image Divides one value into another. For example, 6/3=2 (6 divided by 3 equals 2).

String concatenation Button image Combines two strings into a single string. For example, "date"&"time"="datetime".

Modulus (modular division) Button image Displays the resulting remainder after dividing two integers. For example, 7 MOD 2 = 1, whereas 7/2=3.5.

Integer division Button image Displays the whole integer result of dividing two integers, ignoring any remainder. For example, 7/2=3 (no remainder), whereas 7/2=3.5.

Exponentiation Button image Indicates power. For example, 2^3=8 (2 to the 3rd power equals 8).

Opening parenthesis Button image With the closing parenthesis <)>, helps specify order of operations in the formula. You can enclose any operand in parentheses without changing the type or value of the enclosed expression. For example, in the expression: ( 10 + 5 ) / 5 the parentheses around 10 + 5 mean that the value of 10 + 5 is evaluated first and becomes the left operand of the division (/) operator. The result of ( 10 + 5 ) / 5 is 3. Without the parentheses, 10 + 5 / 5 would be 11.

Closing parenthesis Button image With the opening parenthesis <(>, helps specify order of operations in the formula. You can enclose any operand in parentheses without changing the type or value of the enclosed expression. For example, in the expression: ( 10 + 5 ) / 5 the parentheses around 10 + 5 mean that the value of 10 + 5 is evaluated first and becomes the left operand of the division (/) operator. The result of ( 10 + 5 ) / 5 is 3. Without the parentheses, 10 + 5 / 5 would be 11.

Equals Button image Specifies that the resulting value on the left side of the equation or formula should be exactly the same as resulting value on the right side. For example, 2+3=5 (2 plus 3 equals 5).

Not equals Button image Specifies that the resulting value on the left side of the equation or formula should not be the same as the resulting value on the right side. For example, 2<>5 (2 does not equal 5).

Less than Button image Specifies that the resulting value on the left side of the equation or formula should be less than the resulting value on the right side. For example, 2<5 (2 is less than 5).

Greater than Button image Specifies that the resulting value on the left side of the equation or formula should be greater than the resulting value on the right side. For example, 6>4 (6 is greater than 4).

Logical AND Button image Logically compares two expressions. If both expressions are true, the comparison evaluates to True, but if either expression is false, the comparison evaluates to False.

Logical OR Button image Logically compares two expressions. If either expression is true, the comparison evaluates to True.

Logical NOT Button image Negates the logical value of the expression it precedes, making a true expression False or a false expression True.

Insert section

Field Click to select and insert a field into the formula you're building in the Edit Formula box. First point to the field type you want (for example, Cost, Date, or Number). The list of all Microsoft Office Project fields for that field type appears. Click the name of the specific field you want to use in your formula. The field is inserted into your formula in the Edit formula box. When the formula is evaluated, the field reference is replaced by the actual field value for the current task or resource.

Function Click to select and insert a function into the formula you're building in the Edit Formula box. First point to the function type you want (for example, Date/Time, Math, or Text). The list of all functions for that function type appears. Click the name of the function you want to use in your formula. The function, along with placeholders for any arguments, is inserted into your formula in the Edit formula box. Replace the argument placeholders with actual values or expressions.

Import Formula Click to open the Import Formula dialog box and import a formula from another project or another field in this project.

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