--- title: "Formulas in Reports" slug: "formulas-in-reports" updated: 2026-04-21T19:19:34Z published: 2026-04-21T19:19:34Z canonical: "knowledge.technolutions.net/formulas-in-reports" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://knowledge.technolutions.net/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Formulas in Reports The Report Builder includes the ability to define formulas that apply to the aggregated values in the rows or columns of a report. To use a formula, variables must be set that may then be used in the calculation. We recommend building out the parts and respective data columns and data rows for the report first, before adding formulas. ## Variables The **Variable Name** setting can be found in a data column or data row. The setting is available only for **Population** column types, and **Aggregate** row types. A variable name can be added to a **Group By**row by changing the setting to **Aggregate**and choosing **Count**, which is identical to the **Group By**setting. To set a variable for a Population type column or Aggregate type row, double-click the column or row to edit. In the Variable Name field, assign a variable. This variable name must be a unique value that is prefixed with the `@` symbol and should be machine friendly (no spaces). ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/cd8ea7a6-07f3-4846-a554-627ac016d3e3/Images/Documentation/Screenshot 2026-02-25 at 2.59.48 PM.png) ## Define formula To define a formula, add a new data column or row group. Select a column type of Formula, or row type of Formula. Type the formula in the Formula field, using the previously designated variable names as desired. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/cd8ea7a6-07f3-4846-a554-627ac016d3e3/Images/Documentation/Screenshot 2026-02-27 at 10.43.07 AM.png) > [!CAUTION] > 🔔 Important! > > It is not possible to define a formula that uses variables across rows and columns, i.e. a formula can only be derived for variables within columns or within rows, and formula rows will display blank values in formula columns. Simple mathematical calculations can be performed, e.g.: - `@variable * 100` - `@variable1 + @variable2` - `@variable1 / @variable2` ## Using number format to display percentages To display percentages, use the **nullif**function in your formula along with the **Number Format** setting. [![mceclip0__3_.png](https://cdn.us.document360.io/cd8ea7a6-07f3-4846-a554-627ac016d3e3/Images/Documentation/qkestojn80wgqrnwahkxjwmceclip0__3_.png)](https://cdn.us.document360.io/cd8ea7a6-07f3-4846-a554-627ac016d3e3/Images/Documentation/qkestojn80wgqrnwahkxjwmceclip0__3_.png) In the above example, the *Percentage* column is based on the formula: - `@CurrentPeriod / nullif(@TotalApplications, 0)` This divides the Current Period column by the Total Applications column. The `nullif`****function is used to prevent a divide-by-zero error. If `@TotalApplications` is 0, a null value will be returned instead. That way, the column will just display a blank (null) value, instead of erroring out the report. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/cd8ea7a6-07f3-4846-a554-627ac016d3e3/Images/Documentation/Screenshot 2026-02-27 at 11.04.06 AM.png) The number format of **0.00%** is used. Using the `%` symbol automatically converts values to percentages. There is no need to multiply by 100. - For the *Biology* row, the number of *Total Applications* is **3** and the number for *Current Period* is **1**. The result in the *Percentage* column is displayed as **33.33%** - For the *Chemistry* row, the number of *Total Applications* is **2** and the number for *Current Period* is **0**. The result in the *Percentage* column is displayed as **0.00%** If the number format for the *Percentage* column were to be changed, the values displayed would be: | Number Format | Display | | --- | --- | | `#` | Biology: (blank) Chemistry (blank) | | `0` | Biology: 0 Chemistry: 0 | | `0.0` | Biology: 0.3 Chemistry: 0.0 | | `#.#` | Biology: .3 Chemistry: (blank) | | `#.#%` | Biology: 33.3% Chemistry: % | ## Example formula type column In the example below, we have two data table rows, with a type of Aggregate and a function of Count. The rows count the number of records for Fall 2018 and Spring 2018, respectively. The following columns have a type of Formula: *Conversion Rate*, *Acceptance Rate*, and *Yield Rate*. [![mceclip1__2_.png](https://cdn.us.document360.io/cd8ea7a6-07f3-4846-a554-627ac016d3e3/Images/Documentation/5bgybfr4vkg74hbwxueceqmceclip1__2_.png)](https://cdn.us.document360.io/cd8ea7a6-07f3-4846-a554-627ac016d3e3/Images/Documentation/5bgybfr4vkg74hbwxueceqmceclip1__2_.png) - **Conversion Rate:**`@Applicant / nullif(@Prospect, 0)` - **Acceptance Rate:**`@Admit / nullif(@Applicant, 0)` - **Yield Rate:**`@Commit / nullif(@Admit, 0)` ## Example formula type row Using the same example, it is possible to assign a variable each to the *Fall 2018 Total* and *Spring 2018 Total* rows, and add a new row derived from a formula. The Overall row group has a type of **Formula**, with the following formula: - `@Fall2018 + @Spring2018` ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/cd8ea7a6-07f3-4846-a554-627ac016d3e3/Images/Documentation/Screenshot 2026-02-27 at 10.50.46 AM.png) This yields the following results: [![mceclip2__1_.png](https://cdn.us.document360.io/cd8ea7a6-07f3-4846-a554-627ac016d3e3/Images/Documentation/ihbo76qy7ek0syj1rfxhiqmceclip2__1_.png)](https://cdn.us.document360.io/cd8ea7a6-07f3-4846-a554-627ac016d3e3/Images/Documentation/ihbo76qy7ek0syj1rfxhiqmceclip2__1_.png) The *Conversation Rate*, *Acceptance Rate*, and *Yield Rate* columns are empty, as a formula row cannot be applied to a formula column. Note that the *Overall* row group could also be set up using a Group By row type, filtering on Fall 2018 and Spring 2018. This would allow the *Conversion Rate*, *Acceptance Rate*, and *Yield Rate* columns to be calculated. Row formulas have much more limited use cases than column formulas.