Formula Output Syntax for Data Types

In Spreadsheet.com, formulas can do more than return alphanumeric characters.

With formulas, you can output values that match any one of Spreadsheet.com's data types, including formulas that assign users, to attach files, link rows between worksheets, and more.

However, many of Spreadsheet.com's data types require different output syntax in formulas. For instance, when creating a formula that outputs Select data type values, your formula can output strings like =IF(A1=TRUE,"SelectOption",""). However, formulas that output user data types must reference a cell that contains the designated user (e.g. =IF(A1="Incomplete",F2,F3) with the F2 and F3 cells containing users).

Required Output Syntax for Each Data Type

In addition to the formula output syntax detailed below, cells containing the formula must be set to the corresponding data type. For instance, for a formula to output a currency value, the cell containing that formula must be set to a currency data type, or else the formula will simply produce a string.

Data Type Required Output Syntax Example More Information
Users CELL REFERENCE

=A1
where A1 contains a user

Assigning Users with Formulas
Attachment (Files) CELL REFERENCE  =A1 
where A1 contains an attachment
Attaching Files with Formulas
Related Rows CELL REFERENCE  =A1
where A1 contains a related row 
Assigning Related Rows with Formulas
Text  ALPHANUMERIC STRING or CELL REFERENCE

="Text to be entered"

OR

=A1 

 
Select STRING or CELL REFERENCE   

="Select Option"

OR

=A1 

 Assigning Select and Multiselect Values with Formulas
Multiselect CELL REFERENCE  =A1
where A1 contains the desired multiselect options
Assigning Select and Multiselect Values with Formulas 
Number NUMBERS, STRING, or CELL REFERENCE   =45

="45"

=A1 

 
Currency NUMBERS, STRING, or CELL REFERENCE   =100

="$100.00"

=A1

 
Percent  NUMBERS, STRING, or CELL REFERENCE 

=1/2

="0.50"

=A1

 
Date  DATE SERIAL NUMBER, or CELL REFERENCE

=43831.00
for 1/1/2020

OR

=A1

 
Date & time  DATE SERIAL NUMBER, or CELL REFERENCE 

=43831.5625
for 1/1/2020 1:30PM

OR

=A1 

 
Duration  NUMBER or CELL REFERENCE

=1.705
for 40:55:12 (40 hours, 55 minutes, 12 seconds)

OR

=A1

NOT "40:55:12" 

 
Email EMAIL ADDRESS AS STRING or CELL REFERENCE

="email@newblend.com"

OR

=A1 

 
URL  URL AS STRING or CELL REFERENCE

="spreadsheet.com"

OR

=A1 

 
Phone Number 

PHONE NUMBER, UNFORMATED STRING, or CELL REFERENCE

=2125550100

="2125550100"

OR

=A1

not ="(212) 555-0100" or similar formatting 

 
Rating NUMBER or CELL REFERENCE 

=5

OR

=A1 

 
Icon Set

Formula icon set output cell and icon set inputs must match icon set style

ICON NAME AS STRING (like "Up", "Quarter", "Green", etc.) or CELL REFERENCE

="Up" 

OR

=A1

 
Related Row Lookup  CELL REFERENCE  =A1  

Read on to learn more about working with Formulas and Advanced Data Types, including Formulas in the Primary Column and The Column Formula Data Type.