> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://formulapro.shadebridge.com/formula-pro/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://formulapro.shadebridge.com/formula-pro/getting-started/formula-basics.md).

# Formula Basics

## Column Reference Syntax

In Formula Pro, you reference column values using the `{item's ColumnName}` syntax:

```
{item's Status}
{item's Date}
{item's Number}
{item's Timeline}
```

When configuring automations, column placeholders are replaced with actual values at runtime. In the formula editor, you'll see placeholders like `$values.pulse.column_id.value` — these map to your selected columns.

## Formula Structure

Formulas follow standard function-call syntax:

```
FUNCTION_NAME(argument1, argument2, ...)
```

Examples:

```
SUM(5, 10, 15)                    → 30
CONCATENATE("Hello", " ", "World") → "Hello World"
IF({item's Number} > 10, "High", "Low")
```

## Common Patterns

### Date formatting

```
TEXT(DATEVALUE({item's Date}), "YYYY-MM-DD")
FORMAT_DATE({item's Date}, "MMM DD, YYYY")
```

### Conditional logic

```
IF(condition, value_if_true, value_if_false)
SWITCH({item's Status}, "Done", "Complete", "In Progress", "Active", "Unknown")
```

### Timeline handling

```
LEFT({item's Timeline}, 10)      → Start date (YYYY-MM-DD)
RIGHT({item's Timeline}, 10)     → End date (YYYY-MM-DD)
START({item's Timeline})          → Start date (Formula Pro function)
END({item's Timeline})            → End date (Formula Pro function)
```

## Excel Compatibility

Formula Pro implements 399+ Excel functions from categories including:

* Math and trigonometry
* Statistical
* Date and time
* Text
* Logical
* Lookup and reference
* Financial
* Engineering

See the [Excel Functions Reference](/formula-pro/excel-compatible-functions/excel-functions.md) for the full list.