If you use data in spreadsheet calculations, then you enter a formula in the cell in which the result is to appear. This formula refers to the cells to be used in the calculation. The process is similar when working with FlexPro. In the project database, you set up formulas that perform the desired calculations. In addition to providing scalar values as the result for formulas that you set up, FlexPro can also return data series, signals, etc. When the formula is calculated, FlexPro automatically determines the data structure of the result, which depends upon the elements to be used in the calculation. For example, the formula can be a simple arithmetical expression. The formula 'Characteristic Curve' + 100 mA adds, for instance, an offset of 100 mA to the current values contained in the Y component. The result is once again a signal, and you do not have to worry about the X component, which is very practical.

However, you can also write proper programs in formulas. To do this, use the FPScript language. You do not even have to write a formula for common analyses. FlexPro offers special analysis objects for this purpose. Technically, these are also formulas that FlexPro writes for you. You simply select the analysis options in a dialog box. And if you change these later, the formula is corrected automatically.

When using formulas, it is important to know that you can use formulas like data sets. For example, you can calculate the results of other formulas within a formula or display a formula as a curve in a diagram. Formulas even have the same header information as data sets.

Next Topic

Selecting Data Ranges