A formula is an expression that calculates the value of a cell. You add formulas to models by inserting them into individual line items. You can also apply formulas to line item subsets (groups of line items), and to specific versions of a model.

Formulas can contain mathematical equations, references to other line items or modules, logic statements, and Anaplan functions. You enter a formula once, and it's applied across all dimensions used in the module.

There are several ways you can add a formula: 

  • Use the formula editor. This option is best for most calculations, because the editor has syntax highlighting and autocomplete. You can also switch between modules while writing formulas.
  • Use the formula bar. The formula bar is above the line items, under Line Item Formula. This option is best for short and simple formulas.
  • Type directly into the Formula cell. 

To find information on functions, operators, and how to write formulas, see All functions.

You can set up formulas in these ways:

  • Formulas for specific line items. You can choose which model versions to apply the formula to in the  Formula Scope column in Blueprint.
  • Version formulas for line item subsets. This kind of formula applies to a specific version in a module. Each line item in the subset must have versions applied to it. The formula applies to one module only, even if the subset includes line items from different modules.
  • Version formulas for the model. The formula is set on a specific version dimension. This kind of formula is typically used for variance calculations that apply to the whole model.

In Anaplan Classic:

  • The formula editor expands but does not dock.
  • Formula autocomplete is unavailable.
  • Syntax highlighting is unavailable.
  • IF, THEN, ELSE statements do not indent.