Formula Reference V2

You can create formulas to accomplish a variety of tasks in Vault. Vault uses an Excel™-like formula language, including functions and operators that allow you to calculate dates and text strings, as well as numbers.

Concepts

Review these concepts to familiarize yourself with how formulas work in Vault.

• What is a formula?
• Where are formulas used?
• Elements of a Formula
• Operators & Functions
• Variables & References

What is a Formula

A formula is a set of instructions for creating a desired result. For example, chemical formulas (two H and one O make H2O). This is not an equation, in the sense that hydrogen and oxygen are not “equal” to water, yet you can use them to make water. In some cases, a formula is a special type of equation that shows the relationship between different variables. In this case, a formula is meant to be evaluated (not solved) by substituting values for the variables.

After evaluating a formula, Vault returns a value or True/False.

Where are Formulas Used

Formulas are used in several places within Vault CDMS:

• Data validation rules
• Derived items
• Unit conversion
• Derived columns in views
• Formula fields
• Field defaults

Elements of a Formula

A formula is made up of one or more expressions and arguments. Each expression contains values, functions, operators, references, and variables to calculate a result. An argument is when an operator or function acts upon the result of an expression.

Operators & Functions

Operators and functions are actors within your formula. They can perform tasks against expressions and values within your formula to output a result.

What is the difference between an “operator” and a “function”?

All operators are functions, but not all functions are operators. Operators exclusively return the same data type that you put in, whereas functions can return a different data type. For example, consider the operator Add() and the function Value(). These are both considered mathematical functions. When you add two numbers together, the formula returns a number. Add(2, 2) returns 4. When you use the Value() function, you input text and the formula outputs a number. Value(Right(“Veeofen 20”, 2) returns the number 20, instead of a text string.

This reference contains a list of all operators and functions currently supported in Vault.

Variables & References

You can use variables and references within your formula to act as placeholders for execution data. Vault replaces your variables and references with their actual execution values when the system evaluates your formula. Whenever you write data validation rules in Studio, each time you use an Identifier to call out a data collection Item, you are using a variable. A reference, in the context of Vault formulas, is a variable that is pointing to a value on a related object, instead of a value on an object. For example, when you use $site__vr.status__v, Vault replaces that reference with the Status value from the Site object.

Operators

Use the operators below when building your formula. All operators are available everywhere that you can include a formula unless otherwise specified.

Math Operators

Math operators perform mathematic operations within your expression.

Add

Calculates the sum of two values

Syntax

+

Use

value1 + value2

Data Types

The Add operator accepts the following data types:

• Number

• DateTime with Number (interprets number as days)

• Date with Number (interprets number as days)

• DateTime with Time

• Date with Interval

• DateTime with Interval

Examples

Subtract

Calculates the difference between two values

Syntax

-

Use

value1 - value2

Data Types

The Subtract operator accepts the following data types:

• Number

• Date

• DateTime

• DateTime with Number (interprets number as days)

• Date with Number (interprets number as days)

• Date with DateTime (converts DateTime to Date)

• Date with Interval

• DateTime with Interval

• Time with Time (returns time difference in minutes)

Examples

Multiply

Multiplies two values

Syntax

*

Use

value1 * value2

Data Types

The Multiply operator accepts the following data types:

• Number

Examples

Divide

Multiples two values

Syntax

/

Use

value1 / value2

Data Types

The Divide operator accepts the following data types:

• Number

Examples

Remainder

Remainder from one value divided by another

Syntax

%

Use

value1 % value2

Data Types

The Remainder operator accepts the following data types:

• Number

Examples

Parenthesis

Evaluates expressions within the parenthesis first

Syntax

()

Use

(expression1)expression2

Data Types

The Parenthesis operator accepts the following data types:

Examples

Logical Operators

Logical operators perform logical operations within your expression.

Equal

Evaluates if two values are equivalent

Syntax

=

Use

value1 = value2

Data Types

The Equal operator accepts the following data types:

• Number

• Text

• Date

• DateTime

• DateTime with Date (converts DateTime to Date)

• Yes/No

• Picklist (both picklists must be single-value

• Picklist with Text

Examples

Notes

• When Dates are compared with DateTimes, Vault converts the DateTime to a Date, using the vault’s timezone.

• Picklist formulas and operators evaluate value names instead of value labels. For example, a picklist, Level (level__v), has three values named study_level__v, country_level__v and site_level__v with respective labels of Study, Country, and Site. To evaluate the value of a picklist, define the formula using the name, e.g., level__v = "country_level__v", instead of using the label.

Not Equal

Evaluates if two values are not equivalent

Syntax

!=

Use

value1 != value2

Data Types

The Not Equal operator accepts the following data types:

• Number

• Text

• Date

• DateTime

• DateTime with Date (converts DateTime to Date)

• Yes/No

• Picklist (both picklists must be single-value

• Picklist with Text

Examples

Notes

• When Dates are compared with DateTimes, Vault converts the DateTime to a Date, using the vault’s timezone.

• Picklist formulas and operators evaluate value names instead of value labels. For example, a picklist, Level (level__v), has three values named study_level__v, country_level__v and site_level__v with respective labels of Study, Country, and Site. To evaluate the value of a picklist, define the formula using the name, e.g., level__v = “country_level__v”, instead of using the label.

Less Than

Evaluates if a value is less than another value

Syntax

<

Use

value1 < value2

Data Types

The Less Than operator accepts the following data types:

• Number

• Date

• DateTime

• Date with DateTime (converts DateTime to Date)

Examples

Notes

• When Dates are compared with DateTimes, Vault converts the DateTime to a Date.

Less Than or Equal To

Evaluates if a value is less than or equal to another value

Syntax

<=

Use

value1 <= value2

Data Types

The Less Than or Equal To operator accepts the following data types:

• Number

• Date

• DateTime

• Date with DateTime (converts DateTime to Date)

Examples

Notes

• When Dates are compared with DateTimes, Vault converts the DateTime to a Date.

Greater Than

Evaluates if a value is greater than another value

Syntax

>

Use

value1 > value2

Data Types

The Greater Than operator accepts the following data types:

• Number

• Date

• DateTime

• Date with DateTime (converts DateTime to Date)

Examples

Notes

• When Dates are compared with DateTimes, Vault converts the DateTime to a Date.

Greater Than or Equal To

Evaluates if a value is greater than or equal to another value

Syntax

>=

Use

value1 >= value2

Data Types

The Greater Than or Equal To operator accepts the following data types:

• Number

• Date

• DateTime

• Date with DateTime (converts DateTime to Date)

Examples

Notes

• When Dates are compared with DateTimes, Vault converts the DateTime to a Date.

And

Evaluates if two values or expressions are both true

Syntax

&&

You can also use And() in place of &&.

Use

(expression) && (expression)

Data Types

The And operator accepts the following data types:

Examples

Or

Evaluates if at least one of two values or expressions is true

Syntax

||

You can also use Or() in place of ||.

Use

(expression) || (expression)

Data Types

The Or operator accepts the following data types:

Examples

Text Operators

Text operators perform text operations within your expression.

Concatenate

Connects two or more text strings

Syntax

&

You can also use Concat() in place of &.

Use

text & text

Data Types

The Concatenate operator accepts the following data types:

Examples

Functions

Use the functions below when building your formula. All functions are available everywhere that you can include a formula unless otherwise specified.

Math Functions

Math functions perform mathematical functions within your expression.

Abs

Calculates the absolute value of a number

Syntax

Abs()

Use

Abs(number)

Examples

Average

Calculates the average of the provided numbers

Syntax

Average()

Use

Average(number, number, number...)

Examples

Ceiling

Returns the next integer greater than the value

Syntax

Ceiling()

Use

Ceiling(number)

Examples

Floor

Returns the next integer less than the value

Syntax

Floor()

Use

Floor(number)

Examples

Max

Returns the highest number from the set

Syntax

Max()

Use

Max(number, number...)

Examples

Notes

• You can use this function with the Number, Date, and DateTime data types. You can’t mix data types in a single Max() request. If you need to mix Date and DateTime, convert DateTimes to Dates using DateValue.

Median

Calculates the median value of its arguments. This function accepts arguments with the number data type.

Syntax

Median()

Use

Median(number, number...)

Examples

Min

Returns the lowest number from the set

Syntax

Min()

Use

Min(number, number...)

Examples

Notes

• You can use this function with the Number, Date, and DateTime data types. You can’t mix data types in a single Min() request. If you need to mix Date and DateTime, convert DateTimes to Dates using DateValue.

Power

Calculates the value of a number raised to the power of another number (exponent)

Syntax

Power()

Use

Power(number, number)

Examples

Round

Rounds the value to the defined number of decimal places

Syntax

Round()

Use

Round(number, number of decimal places)

Examples

Notes

• Vault rounds the number based on the number to the right of the decimal point. If that number is greater than 5, Vault rounds up, or away from zero. If that number is less than 5, Vault rounds down, or toward zero.

Sqrt

Returns the square root of a number

Syntax

Sqrt()

Use

Sqrt(number)

Examples

Notes

• Numbers must be positive.

Sum

Calculates the sum of the provided numbers

Syntax

Sum()

Use

Sum(number, number, number...)

Examples

Value

Returns a text string as a number

Syntax

Value()

Use

Value(text)

Examples

Notes

• You will receive an error if you enter Text into a Value function that does not resolve to a number.

Logical Functions

Logical functions perform logical functions within your expression.

And

Returns true when all expressions are true

Syntax

And()

You can also use && in place of And().

Use

And(expression, expression)

Examples

Case

Compares the value of the expression with each case value and returns the paired result. If no values match, this function returns the last argument.

Syntax

Case()

Use

Case(expression1, value1, result1, value2, result2, else_result)

Data Types

The Case function accepts the following data types:

• Number

• Text

• Yes/No

• Picklist

Examples

Notes

• When working with a picklist field, eg, picklist__c, the field returns the value names (study__v) instead of the value labels (Study).

If

Determines if expressions are true or false. Returns a given value if true and another value if false.

Syntax

If()

Use

If(expression1, value1, value2)

Examples

Includes

Returns true when the picklist contains names that match the defined string or single-value picklist

Syntax

Includes()

Use

Includes(string/picklist value)

Examples

Notes

• Multi-value picklists are available in Vault Platform. For CDMS, use the FindValue() function to locate values selected from a picklist.

IsBlank

Returns true if the value is blank

Syntax

IsBlank()

Use

IsBlank(expression)

Examples

IsNumber

Returns true when the value is a number

Syntax

IsNumber()

Use

IsNumber(text)

Examples

Not

Returns true when the expression is false and returns false when the expression is true

Syntax

Not()

Use

Not(expression)

Examples

Or

Returns true if any of the conditions is true

Syntax

Or()

Use

Or(expression, expression)

Examples

Text Functions

Logical functions perform logical functions within your expression.

Concat

Connects two or more text strings

Syntax

Concat()

You can also use & in place of Concat().

Use

Concat(text, text...)

Examples

Find

Returns the position of a string within a string of text

Syntax

Find()

Use

Find(find_text, within_text)

Examples

Left

Returns the specified number of characters from the beginning of a text string

Syntax

Left()

Use

Left(text, number)

Examples

Length

Returns the number of characters in a specified text string

Syntax

Length()

Use

Length(text)

Lower

Converts all letters in the specified string to lowercase

Syntax

Lower()

Use

Lower(text)

Examples

Middle

Returns the number of text characters between two specified positions

Syntax

Middle()

Use

Middle(text, start_position, count)

Examples

Right

Returns the specified number of characters from the end of a text string

Syntax

Right()

Use

Right(text, number)

Examples

Substitute

Substitutes new text for old text in a string

Syntax

Substitute()

Use

Substitute(text, old_text, new_text)

Examples

Text

Converts a value to text based on a specified format

Syntax

Text()

Use

Text(value, "format")

Examples

Notes

• d 1 (1-digit day of the month)

• dd 01 (2-digit day of the month)

• ddd Thu (3-letter day of the week)

• dddd Thursday (Full day of the week)

• mm 03 (2-digit month)

• mmm Mar (3-letter month)

• mmmm March (Full month)

• yy 17 (2-digit year)

• yyyy 2017 (Full year)

• dd-mm-yyyy 31-03-2017

• yyyymmdd 20170331

• dd.mmm.yyyy 30.Mar.2017

• yyyy-mm-dd 2017-03-30

• mmmm yyyy March 2017

• dddd dd/mm/yy Thursday 31/03/17

Trim

Removes any spaces and tabs from the beginning and end of a text string

Syntax

Trim()

Use

Trim(text)

Examples

Upper

Converts all letters in the specified text string to uppercase

Syntax

Upper()

Use

Upper(text)

Examples

Aggregate Functions

Aggregate functions perform functions on values from aggregate identifiers within your expression. Some of these aggregate functions are also available for use with any identifier type, but they are also listed here to provide a complete list of functions available for aggregate identifiers.

AllEqual

Checks if all values of the aggregate identifiers are equal. Returns true if the values are equal, and returns false if the values are not equal.

Syntax

AllEqual()

Use

AllEqual(Identifier, Identifier, ...)

Examples

Average

Returns the average of all values from the aggregate identifiers.

Syntax

Average()

Use

Average(Identifier), Average(Identifier, Identifier)

Examples

Count

Returns the number of instances of the aggregate identifier (for example, the number of instances for the identified repeating form).

Syntax

Count()

Use

Count(Identifier, Identifier, ...)

Examples

Notes

• This function includes blank (or null) values. If an Item was left blank or marked as intentionally left blank, it is included in the count. Use the NoBlanks function to remove any null values.

CountIf

Returns the number of times the specified value can be found across all of the specified identifiers.

Syntax

CountIf()

Use

CountIf(Value, Identifier, Identifier)

Examples

FindValue

Checks if a given value is present in at least one of the values for the identifiers in the expression.

Syntax

FindValue()

Use

FindValue(value, identifier)

Examples

First

Returns the first (by lowest Sequence Number) value of the aggregate identifier.

Syntax

First()

Use

First(Identifier)

Examples

GetAllMatches

Returns an array of values from the third parameter that are found in the same instances where the value (first parameter) can be found in the second parameter. Both identifiers passed must have the same number of values. So, both identifiers must use the same aggregation path.

Syntax

GetAllMatches()

Use

GetAllMatches(Value, Identifier, Identifier)

Examples

Notes

• Aggregation paths:
  • If the first identifier is $EG[*].EV.F.IG.IT, the second identifier should start with $EG[*].
  • If the first identifier is $EG.EV.F[*].IG.IT, the second identifier should start with $EG.EV.F[*].
  • If the first identifier is $EG.EV.F.IG[*].IT, the second identifier should start with $EG.EV.F.IG[*].
  • If the first identifier is $EG[*].EV.F[*].IG[*].IT, the second identifier should start with $EG[*].EV.F[*].IG[*].
  • If the first identifier is $EG[*].EV.F[*].IG.IT, the second identifier should start with $EG[*].EV.F[*].
  • If the first identifier is $EG[*].EV.F.IG[*].IT, the second identifier should start with $EG[*].EV.F.IG[*].
  • If the first identifier is $EG.EV.F[*].IG[*].IT, the second identifier should start with $EG.EV.F[*].IG[*].

IsBlank

Returns true if the array is blank. Returns false if the array has at least one value, even if that value is null.

Syntax

IsAnyBlank()

Use

IsBlank(expression)

Examples

IsAnyBlank

Checks if any values from the identifier is blank. Returns true if there are any blanks.

Syntax

IsAnyBlank()

Use

IsAnyBlank(Identifier, Identifier, ...)

Examples

Last

Returns the last (by highest Sequence Number) value of the aggregate identifier.

Syntax

Last()

Use

Last(Identifier)

Examples

Max

Returns the maximum (highest, largest) value of the values from the aggregate identifiers.

Syntax

Max()

Use

Max(Identifier), Max(Identifier, Identifier)

Examples

Median

Calculates the median value of its arguments. This function accepts arguments with the number data type.

Syntax

Median()

Use

Median(number, number...)

Examples

Min

Returns the minimum (lowest, smallest) value of the values from the aggregate identifiers.

Syntax

Min()

Use

Min(Identifier), Min(Identifier, Identifier)

Examples

NoBlanks

Returns an array of values with any null values removed. This function preserves the original order of the values passed.

Syntax

NoBlanks()

Use

NoBlanks(Identifier, Identifier, ....)

Examples

Sum

Returns the sum of the values from the aggregate identifier.

Syntax

Sum()

Use

Sum(Identifier)

Examples

HasDuplicates

Returns true if any 2+ arrays have equal values for all the identifiers inside. Does not return true if the duplicates are null or blank values. Null or blank values are ignored by default.

Syntax

HasDuplicates()

Use

HasDuplicates(Identifier1, Identifier2, Identifier3)

Examples

Date & DateTime Functions

Date and DateTime functions perform Date and DateTime functions within your expression.

Date

Returns a date value from year, month, and day values

Syntax

Date()

Use

Date(year, month, day)

Examples

DateValue

Returns the date part of a datetime

Syntax

DateValue()

Use

DateValue(datetime)

Examples

Day

Returns the day of the month

Syntax

Day()

Use

Day(date)

Examples

Days

Returns the specified number of days as an interval

Syntax

Days()

Use

Days(number)

Examples

Hour

Returns the current hour in terms of 0 to 23

Syntax

Hour()

Use

Hour()

Examples

Hours

Returns the specified number of hours as an interval

Syntax

Hours()

Use

Hours(number)

Examples

Notes

• In the current release, this function is only available to define time intervals inside the InInWindow() function.

• This function doesn’t return the hour from a DateTime or Time item.

• Don’t use this function with decimal places. Instead, use the Minutes() function with the equivalent number of minutes, for example, Minutes(30) instead of Hours(0.5).

Minute

Returns the current minute in terms of 0 to 59

Syntax

Minute()

Use

Minute()

Examples

Minutes

Returns the specified number of minutes as an interval

Syntax

Minutes()

Use

Minutes(number)

Examples

Notes

• In the current release, this function is only available to define time intervals inside the InInWindow() function.

Month

Returns the month from a date

Syntax

Month()

Use

Month(date), Month(datetime)

Examples

Months

Returns the specified number of months as an interval

Syntax

Months()

Use

Months(number)

Examples

NetWorkdays

Returns the number of workdays between two (2) dates/datetimes. This function supports mixing dates and datetimes. Be mindful of timezones when using datetimes. This function also accepts optional parameters for weekends and holiday schedules. Admins can configure holidays from Business Admin > Holiday Schedules.

Syntax

NetWorkdays()

Use

NetWorkdays(start_date/datetime, number_of_days, weekend_number, holiday_schedule)

Examples

Now

Returns the current date and time

Syntax

Now()

Use

Now(), Now(Timezone)

Examples

Notes

• Now() without the timezone parameter returns the current datetime in UTC.

• Use the timezone parameter to specify a timezone to return the current datetime. See this list of entry formats.

• To return the current date in the site’s timezone, you can use DateValue(Now(), @Site.timezone__v).

Second

Returns the current second in terms of 0 to 59

Syntax

Second()

Use

Second()

Examples

StartOfDay

Returns a DateTime in UTC that is the equivalent of the bginning of the day in the specified timezone

Syntax

StartOfDay()

Use

StartOfDay(day, "Timezone")

Examples

Time

Returns the time based on the specified hours, minutes, and seconds

Syntax

Time()

Use

Time(hour, minute, second)

Examples

Today

Returns the current date for the user. Include the optional “timezone” parameter to return the current date in a specific timezone.

Syntax

Today()

Use

Today(), Today("timezone")

Examples

Weekday

Returns the day of the week from a date or datetime as a number from 1-7

Syntax

Weekday()

Use

Weekday(date), Weekday(datetime)

Examples

Workday

Returns a date a given number of days in the future factoring out weekends and, optionally, holidays. This function also accepts optional parameters for weekends and holiday schedules. Admins can configure holidays from Business Admin > Holiday Schedules.

Syntax

Workday()

Use

Workday(start_date/datetime, number_of_days, weekend_number, holiday_schedule)

Examples

Year

Returns the year from a given date or datetime. If no date or datetime is provided, it returns the current year.

Syntax

Year()

Use

Year(date)

Examples

Years

Returns the specified number of years as an interval

Syntax

Years()

Use

Years(number)

Examples

MaxDate

Replaces the unknown part of a date with the maximum possible value

Syntax

MaxDate()

Use

MaxDate(unknown date), MaxDate(unknown date, timezone)

Examples

Notes

• Use MaxDate() to wrap a date with unknowns for use in an expression.

• Using MaxDate() on a date without Unknowns returns only the original date.

• Use the timezone parameter to specify a timezone to return the current date. See this list of entry formats.

MinDate

Replaces the unknown part of a date with the minimum possible value

Syntax

MinDate()

Use

MinDate(unknown date), , MinDate(unknown date, timezone)

Examples

Notes

• Use MinDate() to wrap a date with unknowns for use in an expression.

• Using MinDate() on a date without Unknowns returns only the original date.

• Use the timezone parameter to specify a timezone to return the current date. See this list of entry formats.

MaxDateTime

Replaces the unknown part of a datetime with the maximum possible value

Syntax

MaxDateTime()

Use

MaxDateTime(unknown date), MaxDateTime(unknown date, timezone)

Examples

Notes

• Using MaxDateTime() on a datetime without Unknowns returns only the original datetime.

• For unknown times, Vault returns 23 for hours and 59 for minutes (23:59).

• MaxDateTime() should not be used as a stand-alone function to set the value of an item, as this function is impacted by the conversion to UTC time applied to get the normalized value. Instead, use this function to perform calculations and comparisons that need a known DateTime to be evaluated.

• Use the timezone parameter to specify a timezone to return the current datetime. See this list of entry formats.

MinDateTime

Replaces the unknown part of a datetime with the minimum possible value

Syntax

MinDateTime()

Use

MinDateTime(unknown date), MinDateTime(unknown date, timezone)

Examples

Notes

• Using MinDateTime() on a datetime without Unknowns returns only the original datetime.

• For unknown times, Vault returns 00 for both hours and minutes (00:00).

• MinDateTime() should not be used as a stand-alone function to set the value of an item, as this function is impacted by the conversion to UTC time applied to get the normalized value. Instead, use this function to perform calculations and comparisons that need a known DateTime to be evaluated.

• Use the timezone parameter to specify a timezone to return the current datetime. See this list of entry formats.

InWindow

Returns true if a date is in the specified window, based on the reference date

Syntax

InWindow()

Use

InWindow(date, date, interval, interval, boolean, boolean)

Data Types

The InWindow function accepts the following data types:

• Date

• DateTime

• Time

Examples

Notes

• Only objects of the same data type can be compared (Date with Date, DateTime with DateTime, and Time with Time).

• The time interval can be defined using the following functions: Minutes(), Hours(), Days(), Months(), Years().

• The two boolean arguments indicate if the lower boundary (1st argument) and upper boundary (2nd argument) are included in the overall window. true means that the boundary is excluded, and false means that the boundary is included.

SiteDateTime

Automatically creates datetime from Date item and Time item in Site timezone

Syntax

SiteDateTime()

Use

SiteDateTime(date, time)

Data Types

The SiteDateTime function accepts the following data types:

• Date

• Time

Examples

SiteDateValue

Returns the date from a datetime item and automatically puts it in Site timezone

Syntax

SiteDateValue()

Use

SiteDateValue(datetime)

Data Types

The SiteDateValue function accepts the following data types:

• Datetime

Examples

Notes

• MinDateTime and MaxDateTime are not supported for this function when date portions are unknown.

Deprecated Functions

The following functions are no longer available in the new expression grammar.

Concatenate

Connects two or more text strings. This function is only available for studies using V1 of the Expression Engine. See Use Instead for a function to use in V2.

Syntax

Concatenate(text, text)

Use Instead

Concat()&

DateAdd

Returns a date based on the offset (interval) from the starting date (date). This function is only available for studies using V1 of the Expression Engine. See Use Instead for a function to use in V2.

Syntax

DateAdd(date, interval)

Use Instead

date + number and date + interval

DateDiff

Returns the difference between two dates in number of days. This function is only available for studies using V1 of the Expression Engine. See Use Instead for a function to use in V2.

Syntax

DateDiff(end, start)

Use Instead

date - date

DateTimeAdd

Returns a DateTime value based on the offset (interval) from the starting DateTime (datetime). This function is only available for studies using V1 of the Expression Engine. See Use Instead for a function to use in V2.

Syntax

DateTimeAdd(datetime, interval)

Use Instead

dateTime + number and dateTime + interval

DateTimeDiff

Returns the difference between two DateTime values as a number of days, hours, and minutes. This function is only available for studies using V1 of the Expression Engine. See Use Instead for a function to use in V2.

Syntax

DateTimeDiff(end, start)

Use Instead

dateTime - dateTime

IfBlank

If the first argument is blank, this function returns the second argument. If not blank, this function returns the first argument. This function is only available for studies using V1 of the Expression Engine. See Use Instead for a function to use in V2.

Syntax

IfBlank(expression, expression)

Use Instead

If(IsBlank())

IfNull

If the first argument is null, this function returns the second argument. If not null, this function returns the first argument. This function is only available for studies using V1 of the Expression Engine. See Use Instead for a function to use in V2.

Syntax

IfNull(expression, expression)

Use Instead

If(IsBlank())

IsNull

Returns true when the value is null. This function is only available for studies using V1 of the Expression Engine. See Use Instead for a function to use in V2.

Syntax

IsNull(expression, expression)

Use Instead

If(IsBlank())

NumberEquals

Returns true if both numeric arguments are equal. This function is only available for studies using V1 of the Expression Engine. See Use Instead for a function to use in V2.

Syntax

NumberEquals(number, number)

Use Instead

=

PicklistEquals

Compares a picklist value’s base label with an existing global picklist value’s base label and returns true or false. This function is only available for studies using V1 of the Expression Engine. See Use Instead for a function to use in V2.

Syntax

PicklistEquals(<picklist_field>, picklist_value__v)

Use Instead

=

TextEquals

Returns true if both text strings are equal. This function is only available for studies using V1 of the Expression Engine. See Use Instead for a function to use in V2.

Syntax

TextEquals(text, text)

Use Instead

=

TimeDiff

Returns the difference between two times in number of minutes. This function subtracts the start time (start) from the end time (end). This function is only available for studies using V1 of the Expression Engine. See Use Instead for a function to use in V2.

Syntax

TimeDiff(end, start)

Use Instead

Time - Time

Date Formats

The table below lists available date formats:

Number Formats

The table below lists available number formats:

System Variables

A system variable is a system-defined dynamic object that stores a value, which can be referenced by one or more Vault applications. They are dynamic in the sense that their value changes depending on the context they are used in. For example, @User is a system variable that points to the current logged in user’s profile and allows access to several properties, such as the user’s Status or Email.

Vault Platform System Variables

In the current release, one Vault Platform system variable is supported in Vault EDC, @User. You can reference this variable when writing rules.

@User

References the user currently logged in

Example Properties

• @User.name__v: Returns the current user’s Name

• @User.status__v: Returns the current user’s Status

• @User.email__v: Returns the current user’s Email

• @User.securityProfile__v: Returns the current user’s Security Profile

• @User.language__v: Returns the current user’s Language

• @User.timezone__v: Returns the current user’s Timezone

Example Usage

Vault EDC System Variables

EDC has several, specific system variables that you can use when writing rules. These variables allow quick access to objects in the Study or Casebook hierarchy.

The following objects and fields are available in Vault EDC for use in system variables:

Study

The following fields on the Study (study__v) object are available for use in system references and variables:

Study Country

The following fields on the Study Country (study_country__v) object are available for use in system references and variables:

Site

The following fields on the Site (site__v) object are available for use in system references and variables:

Notes

• For sites, name__v returns the Study Site Number field value for that Site record. Study Site Number is the label for the name__v field.

Casebook

The following fields on the Casebook (casebook__v) object are available for use in system references and variables:

Event Group

The following fields on the Event Group (event_group__v) object are available for use in system references and variables:

Event

The following fields on the Event (event__v) object are available for use in system references and variables:

Notes

• Always define an Event when referencing Event Date. Do not use @Event.event_date__v. For fully-qualified identifiers use $EG.EVENT.event_date__v.

Form

The following fields on the Form (form__v) object are available for use in system references and variables:

Notes

• Use $EG.EVENT.FORM.intentionally_left_blank as an example format for fully-qualified identifiers.

Item

The following fields on the Item (item__v) object are available for use in system references and variables:

Notes

• Do not use value___v for Items with the Date data type. By default, Date-type Items use the value_normalized__v for any calculations and forcing the use of value__v will cause an execution error.

• Use $EG.EVENT.FORM.IG.ITEM.change_reason__v as an example format for fully-qualified identifiers.

• Mathematical functions can be used on Unit Item Types.

• Vault automatically translates the value for identifiers that are unit items to the Standard Unit. For example, @Form.IG.UNITITEM.value_translated__v. You can use {{@Form.IG.UNITITEM.value__v }} to return the numerical value as entered with no unit.

Note that partially-defined paths are also supported in the rule expression. For example, @EventGroup.EVENT.field__v, @EventGroup.EVENT.FORM.field__v, @EventGroup.EVENT.FORM.IG.ITEM.field__v, @Event.FORM.field__v, @Event.FORM.IG.ITEM.field__v.

System References

A reference, in the context of Vault formulas, is a variable that is pointing to a value on a related object, instead of a value on an object. For example, when you use $study__vr.phase__v, Vault replaces that reference with the Phase value from the Study object associated with the current site.

Vault Platform System References

The following system references are available as part of the Vault Platform, and so you can use them in any area of the application where formulas are available:

Object to a Related Object

Allows formulas to access properties on objects that are related to the current object in context.

Use

relationship__vr.name__vr

Example

principal_investigator__vr.research_and_focus_areas__v = "Macular Degeneration"

Returns True if the Principal Investigator for the current Site (object) has a research focus in Macular Degeneration.

Vault EDC System References

The following system references are available as part of Vault EDC, and so you can only use them in areas of the application where formulas are accepted as part of EDC (data validation rules, unit conversions, etc.).

Objects in an EDC study hierarchy follow the following order:

Study → Site → Casebook → Event Group → Event → Form → Item Group → Item

An EDC expression can reference several different objects and their properties inside a study hierarchy. To reference these objects, their access path in the study hierarchy must be written using a specific syntax.

Every reference must start with a $ sign or @ symbol and objects and properties must be separated by a period (.).

The following objects and fields are available in Vault EDC for use in system references & variables:

Study

The following fields on the Study (study__v) object are available for use in system references and variables:

Study Country

The following fields on the Study Country (study_country__v) object are available for use in system references and variables:

Site

The following fields on the Site (site__v) object are available for use in system references and variables:

Notes

• For sites, name__v returns the Study Site Number field value for that Site record. Study Site Number is the label for the name__v field.

Casebook

The following fields on the Casebook (casebook__v) object are available for use in system references and variables:

Event Group

The following fields on the Event Group (event_group__v) object are available for use in system references and variables:

Event

The following fields on the Event (event__v) object are available for use in system references and variables:

Notes

• Always define an Event when referencing Event Date. Do not use @Event.event_date__v. For fully-qualified identifiers use $EG.EVENT.event_date__v.

Form

The following fields on the Form (form__v) object are available for use in system references and variables:

Notes

• Use $EG.EVENT.FORM.intentionally_left_blank as an example format for fully-qualified identifiers.

Item

The following fields on the Item (item__v) object are available for use in system references and variables:

Notes

• Do not use value___v for Items with the Date data type. By default, Date-type Items use the value_normalized__v for any calculations and forcing the use of value__v will cause an execution error.

• Use $EG.EVENT.FORM.IG.ITEM.change_reason__v as an example format for fully-qualified identifiers.

• Mathematical functions can be used on Unit Item Types.

• Vault automatically translates the value for identifiers that are unit items to the Standard Unit. For example, @Form.IG.UNITITEM.value_translated__v. You can use {{@Form.IG.UNITITEM.value__v }} to return the numerical value as entered with no unit.

Examples

For example, to access the date of the collection of vital signs at the end of a study, use the following (depending on the way the study is built in EDC Studio and the names of objects):

$End_of_Study.End_of_Study_Visit.Vital_Signs.General_Information.Date.value__v

This reference accesses the date for the collection of vital signs at the end of a study (the Date item, in the General Information item group, on the Vital Signs form, in the End of Study Visit event, in the End of Study event).

You can also access properties at other levels, like Event or Form.

$Cohort_A.Visit_1.event_date__v

This reference accesses the Event Date for the first visit (the Visit 1 event) for the Cohort A event group.

Defining a Short Path

Specifying the full path to access all objects in an expression can become long and cumbersome, so you may find it useful to define short paths to reference a frequently used Form or Item Group in your expression (or any other object) using a #define statement.

You can use both system references and system variables as part of a #define statement.

The syntax to define a short path is:

#define vitals_info “$End_of_Study.Vital_Signs.General_Information”

The object vitals_info can then be used to access related objects and properties.

The example from the previous section:

$End_of_Study.End_of_Study_Visit.Vital_Signs.General_Information.Date.value__v

becomes:

vitals_info.Date.value__v

Building Formulas

The formula editor functionality available to you depends on where in vault you’re using a formula. For specific details about formulas by functional area, see:

• Creating Rules in Studio
• Defining Default Units & Conversions
• Creating Views

Valid Fields & Data Types

When defining the formula, be sure that the operators, functions, fields, and values in the formula match the field’s data type. For example, you cannot use a date field in the formula to update a text field without using the text function to convert it.

Vault automatically converts the following data types when used in a formula:

• Object Reference → Text
• Picklist → Text (except in formula fields on objects or field defaults)
• DateTime → Date (except in formula fields on objects or field defaults)

Vault provides functions that you can use to convert data types:

• Date → Text: Text(date, format)
• Number → Interval: Days(number), Months(number), Years(number), Hours(number), Minutes(number)
• Text → Number: Value(text)

Identifiers

When building formulas to use in rules or in views, you can use identifiers to reference study data, for example, a certain Item on a Form.

You define identifiers hierarchically, until it is unique, and separate identifiers with a period (.):

$Event_group.Event.Form.Item_group.Item

You can then use fields on the Item object to reference the collected value:

$Event_group.Event.Form.Item_group.Item.value__v

In the Studio Rules Editor, Vault can attempt to autocomplete identifiers, variables, operators, and functions as you enter them. Press Ctrl + Space to see a drop-down list of autocomplete options. If you press Ctrl + Space before beginning to type an identifier, Vault lists all valid identifiers in the drop-down.

If you use a design definition in more than one place, for example, if you use an Item across multiple Forms, you can use an @ to specify that you want to cover all instances of that definition.

For example, to evaluate an Item on multiple Forms, @Form.Item_group.Item. You can use this at the Event Group, Event, and Form levels.

For Disable and Set Item Value rules, you can only use @Form identifiers (not @EventGroup, @Event, or @ItemGroup).

#Define Statements

You can use #define statements to define variables for identifiers, so that you don’t have to rewrite them each time you reference the identifier in your formula.

For example, to define a shortened name for the Diastolic Blood Pressure item:

#define diastolic @Form.Vitals.Diastolic_blood_pressure.value__v

Now, each time I use diastolic in my formula, Vault automatically reads it as the identifier in my #define statement.

• Put your #define statements at the top of your formula, one per line.
• You must include #define statements in each individual formula. These variables are defined in the context of the rule, and so you cannot use a single #define statement across multiple rules.

Comments

You can use comments to make notes within your formula. For example, you may want to add a brief explanation of a certain expression to remind yourself of how it works later.

To add a comment to your formula, enter your comment text at the top of your formula (the first line) and surround it with /* and */.

/* This is a comment. */

Guidelines for Formulas

Use these guidelines when writing your formula:

• Decimal points are periods, regardless of your Vault’s locale.
• The maximum expression length is 1,500 characters.
• When a formula contains more than one expression, surround the expression in parentheses ().
• Note that Vault CDMS treats numbers as floats, resolving them at the end of a formula evaluation.

Functions

Use these guidelines for adding functions to a formula expression:

• Function names are case sensitive.
• Functions may have one or multiple arguments. Different functions allow different numbers of arguments.
• Vault handles formulas from left to right. For nested functions, Vault handles the sub-functions from left to right before handling the parent functions.

Operators

Use these guidelines for adding operators to a formula expression:

• Standard order of operations applies: multiplication and division before addition and subtraction unless you override by using parentheses to group.
• You can use math operations to add both numbers and number-type fields.
• You cannot use Date type fields in math operations. Use the various date functions outlined above.

Boolean Fields

When you write a formula referencing a Yes/No-type object field or a boolean-type Item (checkboxes), use true for Yes and false for No (unselected checkbox).

Blank Value Handling

This dictates how Vault handles blank field values within the formula:

• As zero: Vault substitutes a zero for the blank value, allowing you to complete the formula calculation.
• As null: Vault treats the blank value as null, causing the entire expression to return a null/blank value.

Example

This example shows how different blank handling options affect the outcome of this formula:

Formula:

NUM1 + NUM2

Error Handling

Any syntax errors must be resolved before you can create or update your rule. When you click out of the Criteria field, Vault displays Expression is invalid unless your formula syntax is correct. The following are common syntax errors:

• Return data types are mismatched. For example, if the return type is Date, but your expression returns a number, you will receive an error.
• Your formula is missing a closing parenthesis, or you have mismatched parentheses.
• You have an incorrect number of arguments in your function. For example, you have three arguments in an if(expression, value 1, value 2) function.
• Your function has an incorrect parameter value.

Migration (V1 to V2)

Enhanced Vault Formulas are automatically available in the platform application areas using formulas, and you can begin to use them immediately.

For EDC-specific formula usage (rules and views), you must enable Enhanced Vault Formulas on a study-by-study basis.

Studies created before 19R1 (released in April 2019) cannot upgrade to the enhanced formula language. Such studies must continue to use the V1 formula language (see the reference here) for their Rules and derived Column mappings.

How to Enable Enhanced Vault Formulas for a Study

To enable the Enhanced Vault Formulas on your Study:

1. Verify that your Study does not contain any formulas using V1 of the formula language.
2. Navigate to the Study Configuration object in Admin > Business Admin.
3. Locate your Study and click to open it.
4. Click Edit.
5. In the Expression Engine Version field, enter 2.
6. Click Save.

Your Study is now using the enhanced formula language.

Move an Existing Design to a New Study with Enhanced Vault Formulas

You can also choose to create a new Study (new Studies have Enhanced Vault Formulas enabled by default) and import your existing design into that new Study. Vault imports system-managed rules (required, range, and future date validation checks) and unit conversions (automatically replacing value__v with $value__v) but not custom rules or derived column formulas.

1. Export your study design. See details here.
2. Create a new Study.
3. Import your study design into the new Study. See details here.
4. Vault removes any custom rules and derived column formulas and then imports your Study.

You can now create new formula expressions using Enhanced Vault Formulas for your Rules, Derived-type Columns, and unit conversions.

Additional Resources

There are additional help topics with use-case specific information on how to use formulas:

• Creating Rules in Studio
• Defining Default Units & Conversions
• Creating Views