Formula field overview

Formula fields let you create dynamic calculations and text transformations without manual data entry. Whether you’re calculating totals, formatting dates, or combining information from multiple fields, formulas make your database work smarter.

Learn how to use Baserow’s Formula fields to perform calculations, manipulate text, and automate data processes across your tables.

What are Formula fields?

Formula fields automatically calculate values based on other fields in your table. They update in real-time when source data changes, making them ideal for totals, averages, date calculations, text formatting, and conditional logic.

The Formula field is available for all Baserow plan types and works seamlessly with all field types. You can reference fields within the same table or from linked tables.

Understanding formulas, functions, and expressions

Before creating formulas, it’s helpful to understand these three concepts:

Formula: A complete instruction set that performs calculations or manipulates data. Formulas combine functions, operators, and field references to produce results.

Example: field('Current Quantity') * field('Cost') calculates total price by multiplying two fields.

Function: A predefined operation that takes inputs and produces outputs. Baserow includes mathematical, logical, text, and date/time functions.

Example: length(field('Product Name')) returns the character count of a text field.

Expression: A combination of values, operators, and functions that evaluates to a single result. Expressions are the building blocks of formulas.

Example: field('Current Quantity') * field('Cost') is an expression using field references and the multiplication operator.

How to create a Formula field

  1. In your table, click the plus sign + to add a new field.
  2. Select Formula as the field type
  3. Enter your formula in the editor using operators, functions, and field references
  4. Test the formula with sample data
  5. Save when the results are correct

Formula buttons in Baserow

Common formula building blocks

Functions

  • SUM() - Add numbers together
  • IF() - Create conditional logic
  • CONCAT() - Combine text strings
  • DATETIME_FORMAT() - Format dates and times
  • AVERAGE() - Calculate mean values

Operators

  • Arithmetic: +, -, *, /
  • Comparison: =, <=, >=, <, >
  • Logical: AND, OR, NOT

Field references

Use field('field_name') to reference any field in your table. Field names are case-sensitive and must match exactly.

Frequently asked questions

Can I edit individual cells in a Formula field?

No. Formula fields are calculated automatically for the entire column. Each cell displays the result of applying the formula to that row’s data. If you need to edit specific values, convert the Formula field to a regular field type first. This will preserve the calculated values as static data.

What happens if I delete a field that’s used in a formula?

The Formula field will show an error because the reference no longer exists. To fix this, you can:

  • Restore the deleted field from the trash
  • Create a new field with the exact name
  • Update the formula to remove the reference
  • Rename another field to match the deleted field’s name

Can formulas reference fields from other tables?

Yes. Use Link-to-table fields to connect tables, then reference linked fields using Lookup fields in your formulas. This lets you pull data from related records into your calculations.

Do formulas update automatically when source data changes?

Yes. Formula fields recalculate instantly when any referenced field values change. This makes them ideal for dashboards, reports, and tracking metrics that depend on current data.

What’s the difference between a Formula field and a function?

A Formula field is a column type that contains formulas. A function is a specific operation you use inside formulas (like SUM() or IF()). Think of functions as tools and formulas as the complete instructions that use those tools.

Check the formula reference. Review the complete formula documentation for all available functions and syntax examples.

Documentation

Technical guides

Tutorials

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