Formula syntax

A planning formula is one expression. It has no = at the start and no cell addresses. You name variables, write numbers, and join them with operators and functions. Use this page when you need the exact rules.

Variable names

• Write the name as the grid shows it. A name can contain spaces and commas, such as Operating expenses.
• Upper case and lower case do not change the result. revenue reads Revenue.
• When one name starts another, Eigenn reads the longest name that matches. Total revenue reads Total revenue, not Revenue.
• A variable from a linked model uses the form Model.Variable, such as Headcount Plan.Payroll.
• Built-in helper names, such as month, year, and e, are reserved. A variable named Month reads as the month helper. A name that starts with a helper as a whole word, such as Year 1 revenue, gives an error. Rename the variable, for example to First-year revenue.

Numbers and text

• Do not type thousands separators. 1,500 gives an error, because the comma separates arguments.
• Write a zero before the decimal point. .5 gives an error. Write 0.5.
• Put text in quotes only where a function accepts text, such as currency(Revenue, "EUR") or error("Enter a start date").

Operators

A % directly after a number makes a percent, such as 15%. For the remainder, put a space before the %, such as 10 % 3. A division by zero gives Invalid number error.

To compare values, use =, <>, <, <=, >, and >=. != has the same meaning as <>. A comparison gives 1 for true and 0 for false. The Conditionals page explains if, and, or, not, and in.

Lists and ranges

• [10, 20, 30] is a list of values. Use it as a function argument, such as sum([10, 20, 30]).
• 80 to 120 is an uncertain value between two limits. The Uncertainty page explains it.
• Square brackets after a function call select one value from its result. finance.DF(10, 3)[1] reads the value at position 1.
• Square brackets after a variable name are a time reference, such as Revenue[previous]. The Time references page explains them.

Order of operations

Eigenn applies the operations in this order, from first to last:

1. Parentheses ( )
2. A leading minus, such as -x
3. Power ^, from right to left
4. *, /, and %, from left to right
5. + and -, from left to right
6. Comparisons, in, and to
7. not
8. and
9. or
10. if ... then ... else

You cannot chain comparisons. 3 > 2 > 1 gives an error. Use and to join two comparisons.

Spaces, lines, and comments

Spaces and line breaks do not change the result. Press Shift+Enter in the formula bar to start a new line.

Put a note after //. Eigenn ignores the text from // to the end of the line.

// Gross margin before shared costs
(Revenue - COGS) / Revenue

Keywords and function names are not case-sensitive. IF, If, and if are the same.

Related

• Write a formula
• Functions
• Conditionals
• Time references
• Troubleshoot formulas
• Link variables from another model