Formulas

Variables in Formulas

To reference a variable in a formula, type # to bring up the variable search menu. You can then start typing to filter and select the variable you need. This makes it easy to find exactly what you're looking for—without memorizing names or flipping between tabs. Once selected, the variable will be inserted into your formula with the correct formatting.

Variables in pluvo always start with a #,

Functions are case-sensitive and always end with open and close brackets that may or may not include parameters.

For example, month() is a function with no paramaters, but the "()" are still requires. Single-word functions are always lowercase, unless otherwise noted here. Multiple word functions are camel-case, meaning they start lowercase anf then each subsequent word begind with an uppercase character

e.g: sumIf(), countIf(), constantGrowth(), mondaysInMonth(), etc.

Basic Arithmetic

Operator	Syntax	Example
plus	+	1 + 1 = 2
minus	-	5 - 3 = 2
multiplication	*	2 * 3 = 6
division	/	10 / 2 = 5
Brackets	( )	( 1 + 2 ) * 2 = 6
Exponent	^	3^2 = 9
Square Root	sqrt()	sqrt(25) = 5

Growth Functions

Constant Growth

constantGrowth() increases a variable by a constant amount every set period (every month/quarter/year, etc.).

syntax: constantGrowth(starting_value, growth_per_period, 'frequency')

Accepted values for frequency include: monthly, quarterly, yearly, jan, feb, mar, apr, may, jun, jul, aug, sep, oct, nov, dec.

Note: Frequency MUST be inside 'single quotes'.

Example:

constantGrowth(100, 10, 'monthly')

This will start a forecast that is 100 in the first month, 110 in the second month, 120 in the third month, and so on.

Function	Description	Syntax	Example
constantGrowth	Grow by a constant amount every month/quarter/year	constantGrowth(starting value, amount to grow by, 'frequency')	constantGrowth(100,10,'monthly)
percentGrowth	Grow by a percentage every month/quarter/year	percentGrowth(starting value, amount to grow by, 'frequency')	percentGrowth(100,0.2,'yearly')

ifError()

Use ifError() to prevent broken outputs when a formula might return an error (like dividing by zero).

Syntax:

ifError(expression, fallbackValue)

Note: This, like all functions in Pluvo, is case-sensitive.

If the expression runs successfully, it returns the result. If it errors, it returns the fallbackValue.

Example:

ifError(Revenue / Headcount, 100000)

This returns Revenue per Employee, or 100000 if Headcount is zero.

You can also use a formula as the fallback:

ifError(Revenue / Headcount, Revenue * 0.2)

Simple, safe, and scalable.

Logical Functions

Function	Syntax	Description
If	if(condition, result_if_true, result_if_false)	Used to check a condition, return a specific value if the condition holds true, and return a different value if the condition holds false.
Add	add(num_1, num_2, ...)	Returns the sum of a set of numbers.
Sum	sum(num_1, num_2, ...)	Ree: Add.
Sum If	sumIf(folder, 'condition')	Sums variables in a folder IF the condition is true
Subtract	sub(num_1, num_2, ...)	Returns the difference of a set of numbers.
Multiply	mul(num_1, num_2, ...)	Multiplies two or more numbers.
Divide	div(num_1, num_2, ...)	Divides two or more numbers.
Average	avg(num_1, num_2, ...)	Returns the average from a range of numbers
Floor	floor(num)	Rounds down and returns the largest integer less than or equal to a given number.
Ceiling	ceil(num)	Rounds up and returns the smallest integer greater than or equal to a given number.
Count If	countIf( folder, 'condition')	Counts variables in a folder IF the condition is true
Count	count(num_1, num_2, ...)	Returns the number of elements in a range.
Min	min(num_1, num_2, ...)	Finds the smallest number in a range.
Max	max(num_1, num_2, ...)	Finds the largest number in a range.

note: functions in formulas are CASE SENSITIVE. All formula functions must be typed in lower-case (Camel Case for multi-word functions)

Comparison Functions and Operators

Comparator	Syntax	Description
Equals	==	Returns TRUE if both conditions are equal
Greater Than	>	Returns TRUE if
Less Than	<	Returns TRUE if
Greater Than or Equal	>=	Returns TRUE if
Less Than or Equal	<=	Returns TRUE if

Other Mathematical functions and symbols

Function / Symbol	Syntax	Description
π	pi	≈ 3.14159
Euler's number	e	≈ 2.71828182
sine function	sin()	Returns the sine of a given angle
cosine function	cos()	Returns the cosine of a given angle
tangent function	tan()	Returns the tangent of a given angle

Check out our other formula guides.

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