Creating Formulae
To create a new formula:
1. From the File menu select New, or click the New button on the toolbar. The New Formula dialog appears:
Note: If another formula is already open at this stage, you are prompted to save it.
Formula Code
Enter the name of your new formula. This code must be unique and will be displayed on the Formula Designer title bar.  If you want to see the formulae that have already been created, in order to avoid duplicating previously used codes, click the Query button.
Description
Enter a description that helps identify the formula. For example, surcharge, discount or tax.
Lookup Code
Enter a formula lookup code. For example, you might use TAX for a tax formula. You can assign the same Lookup Code to a number of formulae, allowing you to display them grouped together when you next decide to open a formula.
Number of Decimal Places for Result
Use System Default
If selected, indicates that the system default for number of decimal places should be used.
Default to Currency
If selected, indicates whether the number of decimal places specified on the currency definition table should be used.
Specify
If you select this option you can enter the number of decimal places (0-5) to be used for a formula code. For example, if the formula code involves a mileage calculation, you would ideally use zero decimal places.
Note: Care must be taken when selecting the correct number of decimal places to be used. Problems may occur if a formula returns more decimal places than defined for the currency. If in doubt, use the Default to Currency option.
2. Click OK.
Adding Simple Non-Numeric Operands
Drag and drop the required formula variable from the Formula Variable Pane into the Formula Edit Area.
Note: If you select the "Total of Value Label" variable from the Formula Map, a dialog box appears showing the list of names and descriptions for the value labels available. Select a value label and click OK.
The simple operand is displayed in the Formula Edit Area and Formula Display Area with a default operator.
Adding Simple Numeric Operands
1. Within your formula, click where you want to add the operand.
2. From the Operand menu select Insert Numeric Constant, or click the Insert Number button on the toolbar. The Numeric Value dialog appears.
3. Enter a numeric value and click OK. The number is now displayed in the Formula Edit Area and the Formula Display Area.
Moving Simple Operands
1. Using the mouse, drag a simple operand from its current position in the Formula Edit Area. Your cursor changes to indicate that the operand is being dragged.
2. Drop the operand to its new location within the formula. The Formula Display Area is updated to display your modified formula.
Deleting Simple Operands
1. Within your formula, select the simple operand.
2. From the Edit menu select Delete, or click the Delete button on the Formula Designer toolbar.
The simple operand is now removed from the Formula Edit Area and Formula Display Area.
Adding Compound Operands
Using the mouse, you can drag either a formula variable from the Formula Variable Pane or an operand from the Formula Edit Area and drop it on the simple operand to be included with it in a new compound operand.
This creates a new compound operand containing the dragged item and the operand on which it was dropped, with a default operator. To change the default operator see Changing Infix Operators.
Note: If you drag the Total of Value Label variable from the Formula Map, a dialog box appears showing the list of names and descriptions for the value labels available. Select a value label and click OK.
The Formula Display Area is updated to display your modified formula.
Moving Compound Operands
1. Using the mouse, drag a compound operand from its current position in the Formula Edit Area. Your cursor changes to indicate that the operand is being dragged.
2. Drop the operand to its new location within the formula. The Formula Display Area is refreshed accordingly.
Deleting Compound Operands
1. Within your formula, select the compound operand.
2. From the Edit menu select Delete, or click the Delete button on the Formula Designer toolbar.
The compound operand is now removed from the Formula Edit Area and the Formula Display Area is refreshed.