Formulas are at the very core of Skippet. A formula combines values (fixed or dynamic) and functions and returns data as output. You can use formulas to:
set view filters and sorts
compute and output data in formula fields
aggregate and output data in aggregation fields
set permission rules
define automations
and much more
Values
You can use fixed or dynamic values in formulas. Fixed values are directly defined in the formula, while dynamic values are sourced from database items or fields, depending on the formula’s context.
Fixed values
You can use fixed values when structuring your formulas such as, for example, a particular text (“Don’t panic.”), a number (“42”), or a date (“12 October 1979”).
Currently, in Skippet, you have available the following types of fixed values:
text, to write short, simple texts
page, to write long, rich texts on a page
number, to save numbers
date, to save dates and times
duration, to save periods in days, hours, and minutes
true-or-false, to save a yes/true or no/false
file, to upload a file or attachment
user contact, to save email addresses or phone numbers used by workspace users
Dynamic values
You can also use items or values saved in their fields when structuring your formulas such as, for example, the items saved in a Projects database or the values saved in a Deadline date field in a Tasks database.
The databases available for you to pull items or item field values depend very much on the context where formulas are used.
For example: in the context of an automation that is composed of a “When-item-updated” trigger and an “Update-an-existing-item” action, two groups of dynamic values are available when structuring the formula to update a field of the target item:
updated item, where you can select and access the target item pinpointed by the trigger or any of the values saved in its fields
acting user, where you can select and access the user who triggered the automation or any of their values saved in their fields
Functions
You can manipulate fixed or dynamic values through functions. Currently, in Skippet, you have available the following groups of functions:
Compare, to evaluate similarities or differences between data
List, to manipulate lists of data
Logic, to output different data depending on specific conditions
Math, to perform simple or complex calculations on data
Misc, to access various additional functions
Template, to populate text and page fields with data
Functions are also sensitive to the context where formulas are used.
For example: when changing the function of a formula filter in a view, you may not be able to access all the above groups.
You can also use functions to orchestrate other functions, thus effectively nesting formulas within each other.
Formula menu
You can structure elements of a formula using the formula menu. The menu is context-sensitive and changes according to the overall purpose of the formula as well as the type of element it is triggered from.
Setting formulas
If a formula has not been specified as a value or function, you can use the formula menu to define it.
Changing values
You can change the type of a value by pressing the More icon reachable on the right side of the value and accessing the formula menu.
Changing functions
You can change a function by pressing either the name of the function or one of the More icons reachable on the left or right side of the function and accessing the formula input menu.
Additional actions
The formula menu also allows you to:
reset an element, making it an unspecified formula ready to be defined again
copy an element, so that later you can paste and replace another element with it
paste and replace the current element with a previously copied element
Output
Returning data is the ultimate purpose of formulas. Depending on the context, formulas can output a single value or a list of multiple values.
Output type
The data a formula outputs is typed, that is, it is expected to be output in a specific format, such as, for example, a text, a number, or a date—in a similar way to how field types work.
You can learn about the type a formula (or a part of it) expects at the top of the formula menu.
If the formula (or a part of it) outputs data in a type different from the expected one, the formula is invalid and you are returned an error. Invalid formulas are not active and do not have any effect on the context where they are used.