Vault CDMS Formula Reference

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.

Enablement:
The content below refers to the updated formula grammar, released in April 2019 with 19R1. For details about the pre-19R1 formulas, see the Formula Reference Guide (V1). See Migration (V1 to V2) below for details about enabling the updated formula grammar in your study.

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.

Term	Definition
Expression	An expression is a single piece of an equation or a formula, made up of values, variables, operators, and/or functions. A formula may contain a single expression or multiple expressions.
Function	Functions are actors within your formula. They can perform tasks against expressions and values within your formula to output a result.
Operator	Operators are actors within your formula. They can perform tasks against expressions and values within your formula to output a result.
Argument	An argument is when an expression is used in a function. The function acts upon the result of the expression.
Variable	A variable is a placeholder value within a formula that Vault replaces with an actual value during evaluation. For example, if you reference a data collection Item value in a rule formula, the data collection Item value is the variable. When Vault evaluates the rule on that Item, Vault replaces the Item variable with collected data.
Reference	A reference is a placeholder value within a formula that points to an object field related to the object that Vault evaluates the formula from.
Evaluate	When Vault evaluates a formula, it means that Vault has replaced all variables with their execution values and calculated the result of the expressions and arguments within your formula. After evaluating the formula, Vault returns a value, True, or False.
True	When a formula returns true, it means that once Vault put in the variable values in the formula, the resulting calculations successfully passed the actions within the formula. For example, if you check that Field 1 is less than 10 ($field1.value__v > 10), the formula returns true when Field 1’s value is 6.
False	When a formula returns false, it means that once Vault put in the variable values in the formula, the resulting calculations didn’t pass the actions within the formula. For example, if you check that Field 1 is less than 10 ($field1.value__v > 10), the formula returns false when Field 1’s value is 15.

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 “mathematic”. 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.

Operator	Description
Add	Calculates the sum of two values
Subtract	Calculates the difference between two values
Multiply	Multiplies two values
Divide	Multiples two values
Remainder	Remainder from one value divided by another
Parenthesis	Evaluates expressions within the parenthesis first

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
Date with Number
DateTime with Time
Date with Interval
DateTime with Interval

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`Lesion_measurement_1 + Lesion_measurement_2`	Adds the two measurements entered as numbers
`First_injection + 15`	Add 15 days to the First Injection Date to determine the Second Injection Date

Subtract

Calculates the difference between two values

Syntax

-

Use

value1 - value2

Data Types

The Subtract operator accepts the following data types:

Number
DateTime with Number
Date with Number
DateTime with Time
Date with Interval
DateTime with Interval

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`Second_injection_date - First_injection_date`	Calculates the number of days between two injection dates

Multiply

Multiplies two values

Syntax

*

Use

value1 * value2

Data Types

The Multiply operator accepts the following data types:

Number

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`$value__v * 2.205`	Converts a weight in kilograms to pounds

Divide

Multiples two values

Syntax

/

Use

value1 / value2

Data Types

The Divide operator accepts the following data types:

Number

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`(Weight / (Height * Height)) * 703`	Calculates the BMI of a Subject in imperial units

Remainder

Remainder from one value divided by another

Syntax

%

Use

value1 % value2

Data Types

The Remainder operator accepts the following data types:

Number

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`@EventGroup.sequence__v % 2`	Returns 0 if the Sequence Number of the current Event Group is even and 1 if it is odd

Parenthesis

Evaluates expressions within the parenthesis first

Syntax

()

Use

(expression1)expression2

Data Types

The Parenthesis operator accepts the following data types:

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`(Lesion_measurement_1 + Lesion_measurement_2)/2`	Returns the average of 2 measurements

Logical Operators

Logical operators perform logical operations within your expression.

Operator	Description
Equal	Evaluates if two values are equivalent
Not Equal	Evaluates if two values are not equivalent
Less Than	Evaluates if a value is less than another value
Less Than or Equal To	Evaluates if a value is less than or equal to another value
Greater Than	Evaluates if a value is greater than another value
Greater Than or Equal To	Evaluates if a value is greater than or equal to another value
And	Evaluates if two values or expressions are both true
Or	Evaluates if at least one of two values or expressions is true

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
Time
DateTime with Date
Yes/No
Picklist
Picklist with Text

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`Assessment_taken = "No"`	Returns true if the selected value for "Assessment Taken" is "No"

Notes

When Dates are compared with DateTimes, Vault converts the DateTime to a Date.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
Yes/No
Picklist
Picklist with Text

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`Assessment_date != Visit_date`	Returns true if the Assessment Date is not the same as the Visit Date
`Severity != "Severe"`	Returns true if the value chosen for Severity is different from "Severe"

Notes

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
DateTime with Date
Time

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`Informed_consent_date < Birth_date`	Returns true if the subject's Birth Date is after the Informed Consent Date
`Tumor_size_1 < Tumor_size_2`	Returns true if the size of the first tumor is less than the size of the second

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
DateTime with Date
Time

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`Informed_consent_date <= Birth_date`	Returns true if the subject's Birth Date is after or equal to the Informed Consent Date
`Tumor_size_1 <= Tumor_size_2`	Returns true if the size of the first tumor is less than or equal to the size of the second

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
DateTime with Date
Time

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`Tumor_size_1 > Tumor_size_2`	Returns true if the size of the first tumor is greater than the size of the second
`Informed_consent_date > Birth_date`	Returns true if the subject's Birth Date is before the Informed Consent date

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
DateTime with Date
Time

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`Tumor_size_1 > Tumor_size_2`	Returns true if the size of the first tumor is greater than or equal to the size of the second
`Informed_consent_date > Birth_date`	Returns true if the subject's Birth Date is before or equal to the Informed Consent date

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

Expression	Explanation
`Adverse_Event = "Other" && IsBlank(Other_Specify)`	Returns true if the Adverse Event selected is "Other" and the "Other specify" is blank

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

Expression	Explanation
`100 > Weight \|\| Weight > 200`	Returns true if the subject's Weight is less than 100 or greater than 200

Text Operators

Text operators perform text operations within your expression.

Operator	Description
Concatenate	Connects two or more text strings

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

Expression	Explanation
`"Study: " & @Study.name__v`	Returns the text string, "Study: ", combined with the name of the current Study

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 mathematic functions within your expression.

Function	Description
Abs	Calculates the absolute value of a number
Ceiling	Returns the next integer greater than the value
Floor	Returns the next integer less than the value
Max	Returns the highest number from the set
Median	Returns the medium number from the set
Min	Returns the lowest number from the set
Round	Rounds the value to the defined number of decimal places
Sqrt	Returns the square root of a number
Value	Returns a text string as a number

Abs

Calculates the absolute value of a number

Syntax

Abs()

Use

Abs(number)

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`Abs(Lesion_measurement_1 - Lesion_measurement_2)`	Returns the difference between the measurements of the first lesion and the second lesion as a positive value, regardless of which measurement is greater

Ceiling

Returns the next integer greater than the value

Syntax

Ceiling()

Use

Ceiling(number)

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`Ceiling(14.2)`	Returns 15 (14.2, rounded up to the nearest integer)
`Ceiling(-14.2)`	Returns -14 (-14.2 rounded up to the nearest integer)

Floor

Returns the next integer less than the value

Syntax

Floor()

Use

Floor(number)

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`Floor(14.2)`	Returns 14 (14.2, rounded down to the nearest integer)
`Ceiling(-14.2)`	Returns -15 (-14.2 rounded down to the nearest integer)

Max

Returns the highest number from the set

Syntax

Max()

Use

Max(number, number...)

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`Max(Lesion_measurement_1, Lesion_measurement_2) > 5`	Returns true if the highest value between the two lesion measurements is greater than 5

Median

Returns the medium number from the set

Syntax

Median()

Use

Median(number, number...)

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`Median(1, 3, 5, 6, 9)`	Returns 5, the middle (median) number
`Median(1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 13)`	Returns 5.5, the average of the two middle numbers

Min

Returns the lowest number from the set

Syntax

Min()

Use

Min(number, number...)

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`Min(Lesion_measurement_1, Lesion_measurement_2) < 5`	Returns true if the lowest value between the two lesion measurements is greater than 5

Round

Rounds the value to the defined number of decimal places

Syntax

Round()

Use

Round(number, number of decimal places)

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`Round(5.5, 0)`	Returns 6 (5.5 round up to 0 decimal places)
`Round(5.54, 1)`	Returns 5.5 (5.54 rounded up to 1 decimal place)
`Round(-5.5, 0)`	Returns -6 (-5.5 rounded down to 0 decimal places)

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

Expression	Explanation
`Sqrt(25)`	Returns the number 5

Notes

Numbers must be positive.

Value

Returns a text string as a number

Syntax

Value()

Use

Value(text)

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`Value(Right("S1234", 4))`	Returns the number 1234

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.

Function	Description
And	Returns true when all expressions are true
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.
If	Determines if expressions are true or false. Returns a given value if true and another value if false.
Includes	Returns true when the multi-value picklist contains names that match the defined string or single-value picklist
IsBlank	Returns true if the value is blank
IsNumber	Returns true when the value is a number
Not	Returns true when the expression is false and returns false when the expression is true
Or	Returns true if any of the conditions is true

And

Returns true when all expressions are true

Syntax

And()

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

Use

And(expression, expression)

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`And(Adverse_Event = "Other", IsBlank(Other_Specify))`	Returns true if the Adverse Event selected is “Other” and the “Other specify” field is blank

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

Expression	Explanation
`Case(Severity, "MILD", "No need to check", "MODERATE", "Random checks needed", "SEVERE", "Check mandatory", "No answer")`	Returns if a Check is Mandatory or not depending on the Severity entered

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

Expression	Explanation
`If(Diabetes = "Type 2", Measurement_1 * 2, Measurement_2 *2)`	Returns Measurement 1 multiplied by 2 if "Type 2" is selected for Diabetes Type, otherwise, returns Measurement 2 multiplied by 2

Includes

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

Syntax

Includes()

Use

Includes(multi-value picklist, string/picklist value)

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`Includes(colors__c, 'red__c')`	Returns true if Red is one of the values selected for the Colors field, a multi-value picklist
`Includes(colors__c, Picklist.field__v.value__v)`	Returns true if the value defined in the single-value picklist is currently selected in the multi-value picklist, Colors

IsBlank

Returns true if the value is blank

Syntax

IsBlank()

Use

IsBlank(expression)

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`IsBlank(Assessment_taken) && IsBlank(Assessment_date)`	Returns true if both the Assessment Taken and the Assessment Date have no value entered

IsNumber

Returns true when the value is a number

Syntax

IsNumber()

Use

IsNumber(text)

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`If(IsNumber(Measurement_1), Measurement_1/100, 0)`	Returns Measurement 1 divided by 100, if Measurement 1 is a number

Not

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

Syntax

Not()

Use

Not(expression)

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`Not(IsBlank(Assessment_date))`	Returns true if the Assessment Date is not blank

Or

Returns true if any of the conditions is true

Syntax

Or()

Use

Or(expression, expression)

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`Or(100 > Weight, Weight > 200)`	Returns true if the Subject's Weight is less than 100 or greater than 200

Text Functions

Logical functions perform logical functions within your expression.

Function	Description
Concat	Connects two or more text strings
Find	Returns the position of a string within a string of text
Left	Returns the specified number of characters from the beginning of a text string
Length	Returns the number of characters in a specified text string
Lower	Converts all letters in the specified string to lowercase
Middle	Returns the number of text characters between two specified positions
Right	Returns the specified number of characters from the end of a text string
Substitute	Substitutes new text for old text in a string
Text	Converts a value to text based on a specified format
Trim	Removes any spaces and tabs from the beginning and end of a text string
Upper	Converts all letters in the specified text string to uppercase

Concat

Connects two or more text strings

Syntax

Concat()

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

Use

Concat(text, text...)

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`Concat("Study: ", @Study.name__v)`	Returns the text string "Study: " combined with the Name of the current Study

Find

Returns the position of a string within a string of text

Syntax

Find()

Use

Find(find_text, within_text), Find(find_text, within_text, number)

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`Find(" ", "4280 Hacienda Dr, Pleasanton, CA")`	Returns 5, the position of the first space within the address
`Find(" ", "4280 Hacienda Dr, Pleasanton, CA", 2)`	Returns 14, the position of the second space in the address

Left

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

Syntax

Left()

Use

Left(text, number)

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`Left(name__v, 5) & "-" & abbvreviation__v`	Returns the first 5 characters of a product's Name and its abbreviation, concatenated together

Syntax

Text()

Use

Text(value, "format")

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`"The minimum Screening Date is " & Text(MinDate(Screening_Date), "yyyy-mm-dd")`	Returns the text "The minimum Screening Date is ", followed by the Screening Date in yyyy-mm-dd format

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

Expression	Explanation
`Trim(" Phase III ")`	Returns the text string "Phase III" with the spaces before and after the string removed

Upper

Converts all letters in the specified text string to uppercase

Syntax

Upper()

Use

Upper(text)

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`Upper("Company A")`	Returns the text string "COMPANY A"

Date & DateTime Functions

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

Function	Description
Date	Returns a date value from year, month, and day values
DateValue	Returns the date part of a datetime
Day	Returns the day of the month
Days	Returns the specified number of days as an interval
Hour	Returns the hour value from a date time or the current hour in terms of 0 to 23
Hours	Returns the specified number of hours as an interval
Minute	Returns the minute value from a datetime or the current minute in terms of 0 to 59
Minutes	Returns the specified number of minutes as an interval
Month	Returns the month from a date
Months	Returns the specified number of months as an interval
Now	Returns the current date and time
Second	Returns the second value from a datetime or the current second in terms of 0 to 59
Time	Returns the time based on the specified hours, minutes, and seconds
Today	Returns the current date for the user
Weekday	Returns the day of the week from a date or datetime as a number from 1-7
Year	Returns the year from a date
Years	Returns the specified number of years as an interval
MaxDate	Replaces the unknown part of a date with the maximum possible value
MinDate	Replaces the unknown part of a date with the minimum possible value
MaxDateTime	Replaces the unknown part of a datetime with the maximum possible value
MinDateTime	Replaces the unknown part of a datetime with the minimum possible value
InWindow	Returns true if a date is in the specified window, based on the reference date

Date

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

Syntax

Date()

Use

Date(year, month, day)

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`Date(2018, 3, 14)`	Returns the date 03-14-2018
`Date(year(today), month(today())+1, day(today()))`	Returns the date one month from the current date
`Date(year(today()), month(today()), day(today())) + Time(12,0,0)`	Returns the date and time that represents today at noon

DateValue

Returns the date part of a datetime

Syntax

DateValue()

Use

DateValue(datetime)

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`DateValue(Vitals_exam_date)`	Returns the date of the Vitals Exam without the time, while still accommodating the conversion to UTC time
`DateValue(Vitals_exam_date, @Site.timezone__v)`	Returns the date of the Vitals Exam without the time in the current site's time zone

Day

Returns the day of the month

Syntax

Day()

Use

Day(date)

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`Day(Injection_date)`	Returns the day of the month that the injection was performed

Days

Returns the specified number of days as an interval

Syntax

Days()

Use

Days(number)

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`Injection_date + Days(10)`	Returns the date 10 days after the Injection Date

Hour

Returns the hour value from a date time or the current hour in terms of 0 to 23

Syntax

Hour()

Use

Hour()

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`Hour(created_date__v)`	Returns the hour when the object was created
`Hour()`	Returns the current hour for the user

Hours

Returns the specified number of hours as an interval

Syntax

Hours()

Use

Hours(number)

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`InWindow(Vitals_time, Injection_time, Hours(2), Hours(5), false, false)`	Returns true if the Vitals Collection time is between 2 and 5 hours after the Injection Time

Notes

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

Minute

Returns the minute value from a datetime or the current minute in terms of 0 to 59

Syntax

Minute()

Use

Minute(datetime), Minute()

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`Minute(created_date__v)`	Returns the minute when the object was created
`Minute()`	Returns the current minute for the user

Minutes

Returns the specified number of minutes as an interval

Syntax

Minutes()

Use

Minutes(number)

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`InWindow(Vitals_time, Injection_time, Minutes(30), Minutes(45), false, false)`	Returns true if the Vitals Collection time is between 30 and 45 minutes after the Injection Time

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

Expression	Explanation
`Month(Injection_date)`	Returns the month that the injection was performed as a number

Months

Returns the specified number of months as an interval

Syntax

Months()

Use

Months(number)

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`Injection_date + Months(2)`	Returns the date 6 months after the Audit Start Date

Now

Returns the current date and time

Syntax

Now()

Use

Now()

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`Round((Now() - Birth_Date)/365, 0)`	Returns the subject's Age on the current date

Notes

Now() returns the current datetime for the user.

Second

Returns the second value from a datetime or the current second in terms of 0 to 59

Syntax

Second()

Use

Second(date), Second()

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`Second(created_date__v)`	Returns the second when the object was created
`Second()`	Returns the current second for the user

Time

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

Syntax

Time()

Use

Time(hour, minute, second)

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`Time(hour(now()), minute(now()), second(now()) - Time(12,30,0)`	Returns the difference between the two times in terms of minutes'
`Date(year(today()), month(today()), day(today())) + Time(12,0,0)`	Returns the datetime that represents today at noon

Today

Returns the current date for the user

Syntax

Today()

Use

Today()

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`Today() = Sample_collection_date`	Returns true if the Sample Collection Date is equal to the current date in the user's timezone

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

Expression	Explanation
`If((Weekday(@Event.event_date__v) = 1) \|\| (Weekday(@Event.event_date__v) = 7)), “Weekend Event Date”, “Not a weekend event date”)`

Year

Returns the year from a date

Syntax

Year()

Use

Year(date), Year(datetime)

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`Date(Year(Today())+1, Month(Today()), Day(Today()))`	Returns the same day as the current date for next year

Years

Returns the specified number of years as an interval

Syntax

Years()

Use

Years(number)

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`Today() + Years(1)`	Returns the same day as the current date for the next year

MaxDate

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

Syntax

MaxDate()

Use

MaxDate(unknown date)

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`MaxDate(2018-07-UN)`	Returns 2018-07-31
`MaxDate(2018-UN-UN)`	Returns 2018-12-31

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.

MinDate

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

Syntax

MinDate()

Use

MinDate(unknown date)

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`MinDate(2018-07-UN)`	Returns 2018-07-01
`MinDate(2018-UN-UN)`	Returns 2018-01-01

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.

MaxDateTime

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

Syntax

MaxDateTime()

Use

MaxDateTime(unknown date)

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`MaxDateTime(2018-07-UNT14:00)`	Returns 2018-07-31T14:00
`MaxDate(2018-UN-UNT14:00)`	Returns 2018-12-31T14:00

Notes

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

MinDateTime

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

Syntax

MinDateTime()

Use

MinDateTime(unknown date)

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`MinDateTime(2018-07-UNT14:00)`	Returns 2018-07-01T14:00
`MinDateTime(2018-UN-UNT14:00)`	Returns 2018-01-01T14:00

Notes

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

InWindow

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

Syntax

InWindow()

Use

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

Data Types

The InWindow function accepts the following data types:

Date
DateTime
Time

Examples

Expression	Explanation
`InWindow(TestTime, ProcedureTime, Hours(1), Hours(3), false, false)`	Returns true if the Test Time is between 1 hour and 3 hours after the Procedure Time
`InWindow(ControlDate, TestDate, Days(3), Days(7), true, false)`	Returns true if the Control Date is after the Test Date by between 4 and 7 days

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.

Use Instead

Time - Time

Date Formats

The table below lists available date formats:

Format	Example	Explanation
d	1	1-digit day of the month
dd	1	2-digit day of the month
ddd	Thu	3-letter day of the week
dddd	Thursday	Full day of the week
mm	3	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	2-digit day of month, 2-digit month, Full year
yyyymmdd	20170331	Full year, 2-digit month, 2-digit day, with no spaces
dd.mm.yyyy	30.03.2017	2-digit day, 2-digit month, Full year, separated with periods (.)
yyyy-mm-dd	2017-03-30	Full year, 2-digit month, 2-digit day
mmmm yy	March 2017	Full month, Full year
dddd dd/mm/yy	Thursday 31/03/2017	Full day of the week with the 2-digit day, 2-digit month, and Full year separated with forward slashes

Number Formats

The table below lists available number formats:

Format	Example Input	Example Output	Explanation
0	10.1	10	Number as is, no decimal
#	10.10	10	Number as is, no decimal, zero absent
0.00	10.2531	10.25	Number rounded to two decimal places
#.##	10.2501	10.25	Number rounded to two decimal places, zero absent
$#	100	$100	Number in currency form
#,###	1104	1,104	Number with a comma 3 digits from the left (You can use multiple commas)
-	10	-10	Adds the minus sign to the expression
%	9	%90	Multiples the number by 10 and displays it as a percentage
E	12345	1.234E4	Separates the mantissa, which is the number of significant digits, and the exponent using scientific notation

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.

Variable	Description
@User	References the user currently logged in

@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

Expression	Explanation
`Case(@User.department__c, "Human Resources", "hr@sponsor.com", "Clinical Programming", "clinical_programming@company.com", "other@company.com")`	Returns an email address based on the current user's Department

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:

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:

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 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:

Field Name	Field Label	Description
`name__v`	Name	Returns the Name of the Study
`status__v`	Status	Returns the Status of the Study
`locked__v`	Locked	Returns the Locked status of the Study

Study Country

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

Field Name	Field Label	Description
`name__v`	Name	Returns the Name of the Study Country
`country_abbreviation__v`	Country Abbreviation	Returns the Country Abbreviation of the Study Country

Site

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

Field Name	Field Label	Description
`name__v`	Name	Returns the Study Site Number of the Site
`status__v`	Status	Returns the Status of the Site
`OID__v`	External ID	Returns the External ID of the Site
`locked__v`	Locked	Returns the Locked status of the Site
`timezone__v`	Timezone	Returns the Timezone of the Site

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:

Field Name	Field Label	Description
`version__v`	Version	Returns the Version of the Casebook
`subject_status__v`	Subject Status	Returns the Subject Status of the Casebook (based on the Casebook Definition)

Event Group

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

Field Name	Field Label	Description
`name__v`	Name	Returns the Name of the Event
`sequence__v`	Sequence	Returns the Sequence number of the Event Group (for repeating Event Groups)

Event

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

Field Name	Field Label	Description
`name__v`	Name	Returns the Name of the Study
`event_date__v`	Event Date	Returns the Event Date of the Event
`sequence__v`	Sequence	Returns the Sequence number of the Event (for Events within repeating Event Groups)

Form

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

Field Name	Field Label	Description
`name__v`	Name	Returns the Name of the Form
`sequence__v`	Sequence	Returns the Sequence number of the Form (for repeating Forms)
`intentionally_left_blank__v`	Intentionally Left Blank	Returns the Intentionally Left Blank status of the Form

Item

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

Field Name	Field Label	Description
`intentionally_left_blank__v`	Intentionally Left Blank	Returns the Intentionally Left Blank status of the Item
`value__v`	Value	Returns the Value for the Item
`value_translated__v`	Value Translated	Returns the Value Translated for the Item
`value_normalized__v`	Value Normalized	Returns the Value Normalized for the Item

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.

Examples

Note: The examples below use sample names of objects and records. To use these references, you must replace the names with values from your own study.

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).

This way of referencing objects also works with system variables.

For example, if the expression is evaluated on the Vital Signs form (which is then considered the current Form), you could use:
@Form.General_Information.Date.value__v

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:

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: @Form.adverse_event_details.event_length_in_days.value__v - @Form.adverse_event_treatment.day_of_treatment.value__v

Adverse Event Length in Days	Number of Days After Event Beginning that Treatment Occurred	“As zero” result	“As null” result
5	0	5	5
7	blank	9	blank

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:

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

This method removes any formulas, including custom rules and derived column formulas, from your design.

Export your study design. See details here.
Create a new Study.
Import your study design into the new Study. See details here.
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: