Expressions Dialog Box

Use this dialog box to set up mathematical expressions that you can insert into label styles.

For example, you can set up an expression for plot segments that converts feet to meters:

{Segment Length} *.3084

Tips for creating expressions

• Do not enter functions, constants, or logical operators inside the curly brackets that surround Properties such as {Segment Length}.
• Do not enter plain text, such as “meters” in expressions. You can add this text later when you set up a label style that includes the expression.

To set up an expression, you can use the buttons in the dialog box, and the keypad on your keyboard. There are menus in the dialog box from which you can choose Properties and functions to insert into the expression.

If you enter a combination of items that is invalid, you will receive a parse error when you click OK.

Name

Specifies a name for the expression. It is recommended that you use a clear naming convention such as “Plot line expression: Length in meters”. Expressions are listed by name along with all the other label properties in the Label Style Text Component Editor.

Description

Specifies a description that appears in the Settings tab item list view.

Editor Box

Displays the expression as defined from the functions and properties. You can also click in this box and type characters such as numbers.

Calculator Buttons

Enter numbers and operators into the Editor box to define the expression.

Insert Property

Inserts a property into the expression. Click the icon to display a list of properties relevant to the expression type. Select a property to insert it into the expression. These are the same properties that are available for label styles.

Properties are inserted inside brackets. Do not add operators or functions within these brackets.

Insert Function

Inserts a function into the expression. See Label Expression Functions for more information.

Format Result As

Specifies how the expression results are formatted.

• Double: This value is formatted using the Unitless type.
  Note: The following are all of type Double but are formatted according to the settings on the Ambient Settings tab in the Drawing settings:

• Angle
• Area
• Coordinate
• Dimension
• Direction
• Distance
• Level
• Gradient/Slope
• Latitude
• Longitude
• Chainage
• Volume

Functions and Operators

For a list of functions and operators supported in this dialog box, see Label Expression Functions and Label Expression Operators.