The Expression Panel is where you build your expression based on your selection from the pre-defined Attributes, Functions, Operators, Constants, and any syntax you manually add to the expression. As you enter the expression string, the software will color code your expression, based on the color codes below (marked with a line at the top of each column). This auto-syntax validation method helps you to verify that your syntax is valid. If the expression is valid, the OK command is enabled. If the OK command is disabled, re-check your expression syntax.
Color Codes:
Blue highlights the Attributes
Green highlights the Functions
Brown highlights the Operators
Purple highlights the Constants
Syntax Rules
The following is a partial list of syntax rules you need to be aware of when you create and edit your expression.
Spaces are not valid
Replace spaces with the underscore character (_) and period (.) as word separators.
Valid first characters
First character of a name must be a letter, an underscore (_), or a backslash (\). After the first character in the name, letters, numbers, periods, and underscore characters can be used.
Variables in brackets
Text of variables in brackets must be in parenthesis. Example: ("loop").
Negative numbers
(-X) must be in parenthesis. Example: 1 *( -1) = -1
Result Preview Panel
Displays the returned result. Listing the first result from the EDE View's first row, as an indication that it meets the condition you specified.
Sample Expression
To create an expression that retrieves information from Line number (Name) column and Process Equipment column, enter the following string:
IF ( [Line Number (Name)] <> " ", [Line Number (Name)] ,IF ( [Process Equipment] <> " ", [Process Equipment] ,""))
Sample of the color-coded expression: