Formula custom field with Advanced Editor

English Forum News Product Updates
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Hi all! Richard here, an Asana Solutions Partner (consultant and trainer) and also part of the amazing Asana Forum team. :wave:

I’m happy to announce that Formula Chaining will be rolling out to all Business and Enterprise tiers today!

What is Formula Chaining?

With this update, you will be able to use Formula custom fields as inputs to build another Formula custom field using the Basic and Advanced Editor.

Let’s assume you have the following:
Formula 1 = Custom field A + Custom Field B
Formula 2 = Custom field A * Custom Field C

So with the Basic formula editor you will be able to create a new ‘Formula 3’ which is made up of Formula 1 + Formula 2 (or you can also use subtract, multiply or divide).

Using the Advanced Editor you could also include custom fields and number into the mix, such as ‘Formula 3’ divided by ‘Custom Field D’ and eg. multiplied by a number value.

A real-life example:

  1. Formula A ‘Subtotal’ = Cost per item * Quantity
  2. Formula B ‘20% TAX’ = Formula A ‘Subtotal’ * 0.20
  3. Formula C ‘Total’ = Formula A ‘Subtotal’ + Formula B ‘20% TAX’

:bulb: Notes

For the following, ‘Local’ refers to a custom field which is added only to one project, whereas ‘Global’ refers to custom fields which are added to the custom field library.

  1. Global formulas can only use global custom fields as inputs.
  2. If you add a global formula to a project, Asana will require all input custom fields to also be added to the project (if they haven’t already been added, you will be prompted to add them).
  3. When you create a local Formula custom field in a project:
    a) Local and global formula custom fields can be used as inputs
    b) If using a global formula custom field, its input fields should also be added to the project
  4. When you create a global Formula custom field in a project:
    a) Only global Formula custom fields can be used.
    b) If using a global formula custom field, its input fields should also be added to the project

:arrow_up: Limitations

  1. You can use up to 10 existing formulas within a Formula custom field (using the advanced editor).
  2. The number of Formula custom fields within a project is subject to the current limit of 100 custom fields (of any type) within a project.
  3. You will be able to use up to two layers of chains. You will not be able to create a formula custom field with another formula custom field as an input, if that formula is also made up of one or more formulas. For example:
    a) Possible:
    Formula 1 = Custom field A + Custom field B
    Formula 2 = Formula 1 / Custom field C (1st layer)
    Formula 3 = Formula 1 - Formula 2 (2nd layer)
    b) Not possible to use Formula 3 as an input in another formula, such as:
    Formula 4 = Formula 1 * Formula 2 * Formula 3 (3rd layer)
    c) To overcome this limitation, you could simply create Formula 4 by rebuilding Formula 3 into it, as per below:
    Formula 4 = Formula 1 * Formula 2 * (Formula 1 - Formula 2)

:question: Q&A

Will Formula Chaining be available for formula custom fields in Portfolios?
Yes!

When will this roll out?
Gradually over the coming days. Tip: refresh your browser from time to time, or close and reopen to the Asana desktop of if you use that instead.

Which Asana tiers will this be available to?
Business and Enterprise, of which, Formula fields are already available to.

How many formula fields can I include within a formula field?
10. Didn’t you read the limitations section above? :sweat_smile:

How many formulas can I chain?
Two layers. Come on, now I’m just repeating myself. :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

Looking forward to hearing what you think of this update and how you will be using it.
Happy chaining!

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