Hello,
The automation fields don’t currently allow calculations in fields.
For example, I want to create an automation that pulls the date from a selected record and adds or subtracts a number of days from that. It would be a very useful feature to automate some project tasks without having to manually enter the dates. I’m giving an example with dates but automation would be largely enhanced if we could use formulas in fields.
Thank you.
Using formula in automation fields
+20Yes, this would be very helpful.
In the meantime, you can create the formula fields in your table, hide them so you don’t have to see them, and then refer to those formula fields in your automation.
ScottWorld wrote:
Yes, this would be very helpful.
In the meantime, you can create the formula fields in your table, hide them so you don’t have to see them, and then refer to those formula fields in your automation.
Hi @ScottWorld – I’m attempting to copy a value from a formula field into a new field and it’s not pulling a value.
The goal is to create master filters in a different table, for example, Day of the week. Is this not supported?
+20I’m not sure what you mean? Do you have a video or a screenshot of what you’re trying to do?
ScottWorld wrote:
I’m not sure what you mean? Do you have a video or a screenshot of what you’re trying to do?
Figured it out! I needed to convert the field to text with CONCAT or &“”.
Formula's within Automations are absolutely needed.
It's insanity to build Formula Field after Formula field, or, write a Script Action for what is often just a simple/tiny manipulation of data from a field - often incrementing or adding a number or two. Example screenshot below of what I image we could see.
Similarly to Script Actions not being available within a Pro Trial, Formulas within Automations could also be greyed out to prevent abuse.
As much as MS PowerAutomate Flow grinds my gears, I do like the ability to write equations where I need to - and Airtable Automations would leave Flow in the dust if it had a similar Formula feature.
Totally Agree!
Creating formula fields on the table that are only used by automation seems silly and clutters up the table. Adding the likes of CONCATINATE, ARRAYJOIN, etc.... would be happy days!
Agree. I'm about to write a script now, which could be a simple math calculation as in Karlstens' example.
Still currently inserting a script action and/or delegating to formula fields for this, which is less than ideal:
- Certain environments and clients do not allow scripting
- Business logic baked into code is less desirable from a client maintainability point of view
- Formula fields bloat tables with 'always on, always available, all records' calculations that may only be required for a handful of records a few times a month.
- Delegating to formula fields scatters traceability and promotes loose coupling. It is easier to accidentally change (and break) a formula than it is to find out what it impacts and how it impacts it. (Cue "DO NOT CHANGE" and "LINKS TO AUTOMATION XYZ" labels everywhere and links to (outdated) documentation outside of Airtable)
Sometimes we just want to add 7 days to a due date. Would be great if we didn't have to build a Rube Goldberg machine every time and explain why we need to do so to our clients.
Reply
Most helpful members this week
Enter your E-mail address. We'll send you an e-mail with instructions to reset your password.