Formulas
Formulas
Formulas are used extensively throughout Microvellum. Formulas drive the library products and are used to help automate procedures. Formula reading and writing can be a challenge. Luckily, reading and writing formulas doesn’t require a degree in computer science. This section will cover the basics of reading and writing formulas and will show how to use the Formula Editor to make this process easier.
The formulas used throughout the workbooks follow the standard Excel syntax.
Excel Basic Syntax | |
= | An equal sign always begins a formula. Equal signs are also used frequently within logical tests. |
( ) | Parenthesis are used to bookend formula components |
, | Commas are used to denote breaks within arguments. |
& | Ampersand symbols are used to append values. |
" " | Quotation marks are used to surround text strings within a formula. |
> | Greater than a value. |
< | Less than a value. |
>= | Greater than or equal to a value. |
<= | Less than or equal to a value. |
<> | Not equal to a value. |
^ | Exponential operator. |
$ | Dollar signs are used as a cell reference lock ($A1 locks column A; A$1 locks row 1; $A$1 locks column A and row 1). |
! | Exclamation points are used to follow the name of an external workbook. |
_ | Underscores are used in place of a space in a defined name (prompt). |
Many formulas within Microvellum use functions. Functions are a type of formula that allow the user to perform mathematical, statistical, and logical operations. The table below contains standard functions found within Microvellum.
Common Excel Functions | |
IF | Specifies a logical test to perform. IF(Logical_Test,Value_if_True,Value_if_False) |
OR | Determines if any of the conditions in an argument are TRUE. OR(Logical_Test_1,Logical_Test_2,...) |
AND | Determines if all of the conditions in an argument are TRUE. AND(Logical_Test_1,Logical_Test_2,...) |
IFERROR | Returns a FALSE value if a formula evaluates to an error; otherwise, the formula is returned. IFERROR(Formula,Value_if_False) |
VLOOKUP | Looks to the first column of an array and returns the value in a specified column. VLOOKUP(Value_to_Look_Up,Range,Column_#,FALSE = Exact Match/TRUE = Approximate Match) |
CEILING | Rounds a number up to the nearest integer or to the nearest multiple of significance. CEILING(Value,Significance) |
FLOOR | Rounds a number down to the nearest integer or to the nearest multiple of significance. FLOOR(Value,Significance) |
ROUND | Rounds a number to a specified number of digits. ROUND(Value,Number_of_Digits) |
There are many other Excel-compatible functions and many custom functions that exist only within Microvellum.
IF statements often contain other logical functions. For example, an IF statement may use an OR function, an AND function, or both.
=IF(OR(Logical_Test_1,Logical_Test_2),Value_if_True,Value_if_False)=IF(AND(Logical_Test_1,Logical_Test_2),Value_if_True,Value_if_False)=IF(OR(Logical_Test_1,AND(Logical_Test_2,Logical_Test_3)),Value_if_True,Value_if_False)
IF statements can also contain other IF statements, creating a nested IF statement.
=IF(Logical_Test_1,IF(Logical_Test_2,IF(Logical_Test_3,Value_if_True,Value_if_False)))
When writing a formula that contains a text sting, the text string has to be encapsulated in quotation marks.
=IF(Product_Description=“2 Door Base”,Value_if_True,Value_if_False)
When writing a formula that will become converted to a string text, the ampersand symbol must be used.
=Defined_Name_1&Defined_Name_2
If text characters are to be added to the string value, it must be encapsulated in quotation marks.
=Defined_Name_1&”;”&Defined_Name_2&”;”&Formula
Formulas can reference cells, ranges, or defined names from an external workbook. When writing formulas that reference an external workbook, the workbook name, followed by an exclamation point, must precede the referenced item.
=IF(Open_Finish=1,G!Base_Thick_Back_Open,G!Base_Thick_Back)
Best practice: Whenever possible, reference Defined Names when writing formulas, instead of Cells or Ranges.
Related Articles
Understanding the Edit Design Data Interface
The Edit Design Data interface is a spreadsheet editor, similar to Microsoft Excel. The interface includes tools located at the top of the window. Below the tool icons is a drop-down list of defined names that can be used to locate the cell’s ...Microvellum Data Dictionary
Microvellum Data Dictionary Introduction This manual is a guide to the Microvellum Factory and Work Order Databases. This manual has four sections. The first section includes this introduction, and the remainder is General Information about this ...Using Formula Editor
The Formula Editor is a handy tool for reading and writing formulas. To access the Formula Editor, select a cell and press the F2 key. Large Text – Checking the box will make all the text larger. Find and Replace – Launches the find and replace. Name ...Tutorial 1: Passing Prompt Information Between Workbooks (Doors)
This tutorial shows you how to configure a subassembly to pass information between the L! workbook (local prompts), and the S! workbook (subassemblies). This example expands on the overview article "Overview: Passing Prompt Information Between ...Tutorial 2: Passing Prompt Information Between Workbooks (Face Frames)
This tutorial shows you how to configure a subassembly to pass information between the L! workbook (local prompts), and the S! workbook (subassemblies). The article: "Overview: Passing Prompt Information Between Workbooks" discusses how the new ...
Recent Articles
Toolbox Release Notes | Build 25.1.1204.641
The following release notes apply to Toolbox build 25.1.1204.641 Toolbox Login Screen Update Fig. 1: The updated Toolbox Login interface. The Toolbox Login interface has had several changes applied to it to enhance its usability and allow for greater ...Toolbox Release Notes | Build 25.1.1120.641
The following release notes apply to Toolbox build 25.1.1120.641 Mouse Wheel Fix There was a reported issue in certain interfaces (such as report groups) in which hovering over a dropdown menu (such as Output Type) would result in the options within ...Dynamic Dimensioning in Toolbox BSB
When applying dimensions to products and other solids in Toolbox BSB, by default, all dimensions are drawn in 2D on the Y plane, requiring one to switch to a top view (or an appropriately high isometric view) to see them. BricsCAD has a feature that ...Toolbox Release Notes | Build 25.1.1107.641
The following release notes apply to Toolbox build 25.1.1107.641. Subassembly Prompt Fixes A pair of issues were reportedly occurring when attempting to work with subassembly prompts in the Edit Design Data interface. Subassemblies copied to the ...Microvellum Foundation Library Release Notes | Build 25.1024
The following release notes apply to the Microvellum Foundation Library build 25.1024. Additions Added Face Profile Options to the Door Wizard for enhanced design flexibility. Users can now apply decorative visual profiles to doors, drawer fronts, ...