---
title: "Write formulas"
slug: "write-formulas"
updated: 2026-10-20T16:18:08Z
published: 2026-10-20T16:18:08Z
canonical: "help.quickbase.com/write-formulas"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.quickbase.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Write formulas

Write your formula using [formula components](/v1/docs/formula-components).

1. Add a function You can type functions out by hand if you know which one you want to use, or
  - Make sure the cursor is in the formula editor
  - Then, select **Choose fields & functions** > **Select a function** This opens a pop-up window to browse, filter, and select formula functions. ![Pop-up window for browsing, filtering, and selecting formula functions](https://cdn.document360.io/dd260e4e-10bb-4b66-8fb3-5504c272b904/Images/Documentation/4891915406356.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-29T18%3A57%3A09Z&se=2026-10-29T19%3A57%3A09Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=Bte%2Bg%2B7KCLG5YSld87znB%2BNPjjkQrs4JMCcOg8SbMRY%3D)
2. Add literals or field references
  - Literals are surrounded by quotation marks
  - Field references are surrounded by brackets. You can write fields out by hand, or
    - With the cursor in the formula editor, Select **Choose fields & functions**.
    - Scroll to see all fields in the table. Select a field to add it to the formula.
3. Add operators
  - Follow [operator precedence](/v1/docs/operator-precedence-in-formulas)
4. Check for and resolve errors
  - How real-time error checking works
  - Troubleshooting formulas
5. Edit any necessary formula field options For example:
  - Change how numbers display
  - Set permissions
  - [Turn on field caching](/v1/docs/field-caching) to improve performance
6. **Save** in the page bar