Wix Automations: Customizing Your Data with a Formula Field

Before you begin:

This article is intended for advanced users. Creating advanced expressions using the formula field requires familiarity with schema properties and data types/formats.

In Wix Automations, use the formula field to build complex expressions and manipulate data. It enables you to create custom workflows using a combination of functions and schema properties.

To convert an automation field into a formula field, click Customize above the field. This opens a comprehensive list of data types, functions, values, and schema properties, providing everything you need to build your expression.

The formula field tabs

When you convert a field into a formula field, multiple tabs help you build expressions and logic for your automation flows. Click their names at the top to navigate between tabs and select elements to add to your expression.

The Properties tab

The Properties tab lists all the data available from the triggers and actions in your automation flow. For example, if the trigger is Wix Forms, this tab displays form-related data, such as form fields. Learn more about using the property picker.

The Functions tab

The Functions tab offers a categorized library of customizable functions to help you build complex logic. Functions are grouped into categories like Math, Text, Date & Time, Array, and Logic. Hover over a function to view details, including its description, examples, and return data type.

Important tips:

• Ensure you're using the correct input data type and consider the output of the function. For example, if you choose a Text data type like 'Contact Email' in a Sum function, you will encounter an error (see the image below). The Sum function requires a numeric input, not text.

• If you need to replace the data type (e.g., replace a 'Sum' function with a 'Concat' function which expects text) click Clear at the top right of the formula field to reset the expected output type. Otherwise, you will receive an error, as the field already expects a number output.

The Values tab

The Values tab provides context-specific values for your flow, including those from triggers and general values like the current date, which can be selected using the date picker. These values can be used as inputs when building your expressions.

Building an expression with the formula field

Customize your automation flow by converting a field into a formula field. This allows you to build complex expressions using the different tabs.

To build an expression with the formula field:

1. Create or edit an automation.

2. Click the step you want to adjust (e.g., condition).

3. Click Customize next to a field to convert it into a formula field.

4. Build your expression using the Properties, Function, and Values tabs.

5. Click Apply.

Click the example below to view step-by-step instructions of how to set up an expression with the formula field.

Example of using the formula field to build an automation

Sarah owns an online store. She wants to automate a check on all new products created to see if their profit margins fall below a certain percentage of their cost. If they do, a member of Sarah's team should automatically receive a task to enhance that product's profitability. She can set up this automation using a formula field.

To build this automation using a formula field:

1. Create an automation from scratch.

2. Make sure Product created is selected as the trigger.

3. Click + to add a step.

4. Click Condition.

5. Click the property pop-up to select Profit.

   

6. Cilck the Select logic drop-down and select 'is less than' under the Number data type.

7. Click Customize to convert the 'Enter a number' field into a formula field.

8. Click the Functions tab to start building your expression.

9. Under Math functions select Multiply.

10. Click the Properties tab.

11. Select Item Cost from the list (use the search bar if you can't locate it).

12. Enter the relevant percentage (e.g, 1.2) to the right of the semicolon in the expression.

    

13. Click Apply.

14. Click + to add a step in the Then flow.

15. Click Action.

16. Click Create a task.

17. Continue customizing your action:

    • Add a task for you or your team: Write in a description of the task or instructions.

    • Assign to you or your team: Select as assignee for the task.

    • Set a due date: Toggle on or off a due date for the task.

    • Number of days to complete task: Set the number of days assigned to complete the task.

18. Click Activate.

FAQs

Click a question below to learn more about using the formula field in Wix Automations.

How do I know if a field is a formula field?

If a field has a sigma icon, it can be converted into a formula field. Click Customize to open the list of properties, functions, and values.