Formula editor

The formula editor has a wide range of functions. In addition to the definition tools, test tools are also available. In addition, the formula editor has an undo function that can be used to undo up to 50 actions. Both the menu, the function bar and the context menu are context-sensitive. Depending on what object (logical group or condition) is selected, different functions are available. All functions are explained below.

General Functions

General functions are available independently of the currently selected object and are mainly found in the menu of the Formula Editor.

Function	Icon	Description

Function	Icon	Description
Save		Saves the current formula. The function is only available if a change has been made.
Display formula		Technical display of the current formula.
Check formula		Checks the current formula for correctness (see below).
Test formula		The function for testing formulas is not available.
Transport formula		If transporting is allowed, a formula can be manually included in a transport request. If automatic transport recording is active, the system always saves with transport recording.
Delete formula		Each formula can be deleted. As soon as a formula has been deleted, this can also be seen in Customizing for Processes using the icon.
End		End the formula editor.

Context sensitive functions

Context-sensitive functions are only available if a node (logical group or condition) is selected. These functions are available in the menu Edit menu, the toolbar, and/or the context menu.

Funktion	Icon	Description

Funktion	Icon	Description
New condition		Opens the window for entering a new condition.
Edit		Edit the current condition. The operator and the field value can be changed.
Repeat action		The function is available as soon as a condition has been entered. The function also creates a new condition, but the table and field name are taken from the last condition.
Insert group		Inserts a new logical OR linked group.
Insert group AND		Inserts a new logical AND linked group.
Convert and/or		Converts a logical group between AND and OR.
Delete		Removes the condition or logical group including all inferior nodes.
Back		Undoes the last action. A maximum of 50 actions can be undone.
Move down		In the context menu, you can use the Move Down function to move a node down within the logical group. Although the sequence has no meaning from a logical point of view, it may increase readability.
Move up		In the context menu, you can use the Move Up function to move a node up within the logical group. Although the sequence has no meaning from a logical point of view, it may increase readability.
Remove all subnodes		The function Remove All Subnodes function is only available in the context menu for logical groups. It behaves in the same way as the Delete function, but the group is only emptied and is retained.

Add/Edit Condition

In addition to the system table, all container data of the objects can be accessed.

To access container data, the context Business Process Framework Container must be selected. The expression editor can then be started using the icon:

Check formula

The function for checking is available in the menu of the Formula editor. Various checks are run and messages are generated for these, which are displayed in the lower screen area. Checks of type Error are always output as soon as a formula is to be saved and must be corrected. Warnings are also issued during the explicit check, which can indicate problems in the formula. The following checks are carried out:

Logical groups without subnodes are classified as errors.
Logical groups with exactly one subnode are superfluous. They are classified as warnings.
Multiple equality checks for the same field within an AND group are classified as errors because the group can never return a positive result.
Multiple checks for inequality for the same field within an OR group are classified as a warning because the group will always return a positive result.
Numeric fields that use masking characters (*/+) may not produce the desired result. Numeric values should be checked with size comparisons. The check generates a warning.
Date and time fields must not use masking characters, since conversion from the external display to the internal display is no longer possible. The check generates an error.
Text fields that are checked with size comparison operators (>=, >, <=, <) may not produce the desired result. Instead, you should work with masking characters (*/+). The check generates a warning.
For fields with a check table, the system checks whether at least one value can be found with the field value and the operator. If no value can be determined, a warning is issued.
If a size comparison operator is used, the use of masking characters makes no sense. An error is output.

Double-click on the corresponding message to focus on the corresponding node. The long text for messages can also be displayed.