Building a Custom Line Item Formula

The Build Custom Line Item Formula screen enables you to build new custom line items using existing line items, numbers, and mathematical operators.

All custom line items must use valid mathematical syntax.

Inserting a Line Item

When building custom line items, you can use one of the line items available in Aloha Insight.

To insert a line item:

1.	Click Line Item to open the Reports Builder wizard and display the Line Item Option tab.

2.	Select the category of the line item from the ‘Line Item Options’ drop-down list. All line items associated with this category display in the list box.

3.	Select the line item you want to insert from the list box.

4.	Enter a new name, if desired, in the ‘Line Item Name’ text box. This is the name that appears in the formula. If you select a custom line item to use in the formula, the actual formula for that custom line item appears. Custom line items are denoted with an asterisk.

5.	Click Next to insert the line item in the formula on the Build Custom Line Item Formula screen.

Inserting a Number

Your custom line items can use both positive and negative numbers.

To insert a number:

1.	Type the numbers into the ‘Numbers’ text box, or click the individual number buttons on the screen.

To type a negative number, click before entering the number.

2.	Click Insert to add the number to the custom line item formula.

Inserting a Mathematical Operator

After you select a line item or enter a number, click one of the following mathematical operators:

•	Multiplication

•	Subtraction

•

Division

•

Addition

•	Open parenthesis

•	Closed parenthesis

You must use proper mathematical syntax. Use the parenthesis just as you would in an algebraic equation.

Editing a Custom Line Item Formula

If you make a mistake, click the part of the custom line item you want to edit. Clicking on any part of the custom line item displays a pop-up menu that allows you to edit or delete your current selection or clear the entire formula.

To edit a line item:

1.	Click the line item in the formula and a pop-up menu appears with options to Edit Line Item, Delete Line Item, or Clear Formula.

2.	Select Edit Line Item to open the Reports Builder wizard and choose a different line item from the Line Item Selection screen, or enter a new name for the line item.

Or

Select Delete Line Item to delete the line item.

Or

Select Clear Formula to clear the entire formula.

To edit a number:

1.	Click the number to display a pop-up menu.

2.	Select Edit Number to display a secondary pop-up menu.

3.	Select the number to edit in the text box.

4.	Type the new number, or click each number button.

To type a negative number, click before entering the number.

5.	Click Insert to insert the new number in the ‘Custom Line Item Formula’ text box.

To edit a mathematical operator

1.	Click the operator to display a pop-up menu.

2.	Select Edit Operator to display a secondary pop-up menu. A check mark displays next to the currently used operator.

3.	Select the new operator.

After you edit the custom line item, test the custom line item to verify it returns the desired result.

Editing the Custom Line Item Properties

To change the name, description, or category of the custom line item:

To edit the properties of a custom line item:

1.	Click to Update Properties to display the Update Properties screen.

2.	Enter the new name or description.

3.	Select the new category.

4.	Select a new format.

5.	Click Save after you have made all changes to the custom line item.

After you edit a custom line item, test it to verify it returns the desired results.

Test Button

After creating the formula, click Test to verify it returns the desired result. You receive a prompt to save the custom line item. Click Yes to continue to the Test Custom Line Item screen.

Update Properties Button

To change the name, description, or category of the custom line item, or to select a new format for the result, click Update Properties to display the Update Properties screen.

Save Button

Click Save to save a custom line item. If you are using the existing custom line item in one or more reports, the changes reflect in the reports. All formulas must contain proper mathematical syntax. If the formula does not, you receive a warning and return to the Build Line Item Formula screen to correct your formula.