Using the Expression Builder

Expression Elements

There are four elements used to build expression statements. Select elements and double-click items to select from the lists.

Functions. Functions are grouped into categories such as Date/Time (Format), Metadata, Numeric, and so on. By default, all functions are displayed under the category All Functions.
Attributes. All attributes for the current data source are available.
Literals. Five literals are available (True, False, "String", "Integer" and "Decimal").
Operators. The common operators such as > (greater than) and IF are available. The operators are also provided as buttons under the Expression editor.
Free-form data value text. These are literal values (usually a value contained in an attribute) that you manually enter into an expression; for example, "New York", "Dennis Bermudez", and "tomato." This text is case-sensitive; when you add these values into an expression, they must match exactly how the values read in the attribute.

Searching and Inserting Elements

The Search bar in the upper left corner provides a quick way to search for the expression elements. When you select a search result, it will be inserted into the editor with appropriate spaces, quotation marks, and parentheses as necessary. You can also start entering a function, attribute, or operator name into the expression and the Expression Builder automatically displays suggestions to select from.

Search for expression elements

To search for expression elements

Place the cursor in the editor where you want to add the element.
In the Search bar, enter a search keyword for functions, attributes, literals or operators. As you start to type your text, the Expression Builder starts to show results for the search.
If you do not see the results you want, keep typing and the results will update.
When you see the result you want, select it. The expression element will be inserted into the editor with appropriate spaces, quotation marks, and parentheses as necessary.

Note the following:
- Case sensitivity. The search is not case sensitive.
- Wild card. You can use an asterisk (*) to represent any number of characters (including none). An asterisk by itself will list all functions, attributes, literals and operators. Use a question mark (?) to represent one character.
- Keyword position. The search results show all matches that include the search keyword in any position. You can prefix the keyword with a caret (^) to indicate that the search should begin with the keyword (for example, ^A for ABS). You can also suffix the keyword with the dollar sign ($) to indicate that the search should end with the keyword (for example, YEAR$ for DAYMONTHYEAR).

Insert elements by typing ahead

Click inside the expression editor.
Start entering the name of the element you want to insert. A list opens showing potential matches. For example, after the function IS_EMPTY( ), if you enter (LOAN), the list might display attributes named LOAN_NUMBER and LOAD_DATE as suggestions from which to choose.
Choose a suggestion to add it to the current location of the cursor.

Toolbar

The following toolbar icons are available at the top of the Expression editor to help you create and edit the expression.

Undo . Click to undo the last action.
Redo. Click to repeat the last action.
Go to Line. Click . Enter the line number and click OK to go to a specific line.
Find and Replace. Click to do the following:
- Search for specific characters or words. Enter the text in the Find field. The first instance of the text is highlighted in the expression window. Click Find Next to find the next occurrence.
- Replace specific characters or words. Enter the replacement text in the Replace With field and click Replace or Replace All (to replace all instances). To replace a term with a blank, do not enter text in the Replace With field before clicking Replace or Replace All.
- Find or replace only text that matches uppercase and lowercase. Select the Match Case check box.
- Click Done to close the Find and Replace window. In the Expression Builder, click Undo if you want to revert the changes you made in the Find and Replace window.
Font Size. Click or to increase or decrease the font size.
Wrap Text. Click to wrap the expression according to the size of the editor.
Expand and Collapse Editor. To change the size of the Expression Builder window, do the following:
- Drag any corner or side of the Expression Builder window to resize it.
- Click to expand the window. Click again to return to the original size.
- Click to collapse the window down to a bar. Click to return to the original size.

Validation

You can validate your expression as you work using the Auto-validate check box, or you can manually validate it when the expression is complete using the Validate button. The result of rule validation is displayed in the validation message area at the bottom of the Expression Builder. See Creating and Editing Expressions for detailed information on using validation.

Shortcut Menu

You can quickly create and edit the expression by selecting commands from a shortcut menu. Right-click the text line in the Expression editor and select a command. The following commands are available: Undo, Cut, Copy, Paste, Delete, and Select all.

Keyboard Shortcuts

To save time, you can use keyboard shortcuts as an alternative to the mouse. The following shortcuts are available in the Expression editor:

Ctrl+A = Select all
Ctrl+C = Copy selected text to the clipboard
Ctrl+X = Cut selected text to the clipboard
Ctrl+V = Paste copied text from the clipboard
Ctrl+Y = Redo
Ctrl+Z = Undo

Using the Expression Builder - 17.1

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