Overview of Fast Formula Functions

Fast formula functions manipulate data in different ways and always return a value. Functions are of these data types: date, number, text,and array (date_number, number_number, text_number, date_text, number_text, and text_text). Function operands are of these data types: date, number, and text. A fast formula function is identified by its name, return data type, data types, and usage behavior.

Here's how the general form of a fast formula function looks like:

NAME-OF-FUNCTION(operand,operand,...)

Operands can be optional or mandatory. You can use operands any number of times in a statement; for example, with the GREATEST function. The formula compiler resolves functions by matching function calls against function specifications. You can use multiple functions with the same name within a fast formula, provided that they have different return or data types.

Some fast formula functions return values that are useful in specific formula types, such as absence management, benefits, or compensation. The more generic functions fall into these categories:

Category	Purpose of Functions
Text	Manipulate text data
Number	Manipulate numeric data
Date	Manipulate dates
Data Conversion	Convert data to a different data type
Message Handling	Return messages