Formula Editor
The formula editor manages the equations of the parametrized input.
Accessing the formula editor
To open the Formula Editor,
- use the button in the table toolbar shown on the left
- click the yellow or red corner of a table cell (the red corner indicates an error in the formula)
- use the function buttons next to the text boxes in the dialog boxes (see Figure 11.139)
It is also possible to import formulas saved in Excel and to export formulas from RFEM to Excel. For more information about the data exchange with Excel, see Chapter 12.5.2.
Description
In the Formula text box, any formula can be entered manually. When you use the calculator, its results are transferred automatically.
The formula may consist of constant numerical values, parameters, or functions.
The result of the equation appears in the field below.
Use the 
button at the end of the Formula line to select an entry from the list of previously entered formulas.
Click the 
button to apply the formula to the table cell or text box of the dialog box. Delete the formula line with the 
button.
In case of incorrect entries, formulas are displayed in red in the Formula text box.
Note
Contents of other cells can be used in formulas by means of references.
A reference is introduced by an exclamation point; the reference cell is set in brackets. As shown in the figure above, the content of cell D3 is three times the value of cell D2.
Note
With a prefixed equal sign, you can also enter formulas directly into table cells (e.g. =2.5*PI). If values are used (e.g. =22.1+A*H), they are integrated into the formula in SI units with [m] or [N].
The following functions are available in the calculator of the formula editor:
| Function | Description |
|---|---|
|
Sine |
|
Cosine |
|
Tangent |
|
Cotangent |
|
Square root |
|
Power |
|
Natural logarithm |
|
Logarithm to the base 10 |
|
Absolute value |
|
Integer, for example int(5.638) = 5 |
|
Clear formula line |
|
Inverse, for example inv√(5) means 52 |
|
Hyperbolic function |
The List of Parameters dialog section in the Formula Editor lists all parameters with the current values. To transfer a particular parameter to the Formula line, double-click the entry or select it and use the [Retain] button.
Click the [Edit Parameters] button (see Chapter 11.6.2) to open the parameter list where you can modify or complete the parameters.
Buttons
The buttons available in the formula editor have the following functions.
| Button | Description |
|---|---|
|
|
Applies formula to table cell or dialog field |
|
|
Deletes formula input |
|
Saves content of formula editor as file |
|
Loads a saved file |
|
Displays or hides calculator and parameter list |