Using Formulas in a Payment Step

Below, you will learn how to:

• Add the value of a numeric field into a payment step

• Use mathematical operations in a formula

• Select the formula in a payment step

Adding the Value of a Numeric Field into a Payment Step

At times you may want to use numeric field values in a Payment Step. There are several fields from Information Collection Steps for formulas to calculate totals:

• Number (no decimal)
• Number (with decimal)
• Multiple choice (with formula values added)
• Checkbox fields (same as with Multiple Choice field types - you can use number answers or assign formula values). Note: If you use a checkbox field in a formula the system will sum the values of ALL checked options.
• Values from total surveys collected in a Survey step (if there is one present in your form).
• Other formulas

Pro Tip: Remember, you're only able to use the number checkbox or multiple-choice fields that are marked as REQUIRED in a Formula. If a field is marked "optional" or is part of a conditional section it won't show up in the list of choices to use as terms in your formula.  

Instructions on how to Customize an Information Collection Step to be used in a Formula can be found  here.

Creating a Formula

To use the numeric field values to configure payment fees, create a Formula of the Field Name x 1. 

To create a new formula select Power-Ups from the form edit view, then follow the steps outlined below. 

1. Select New Formula. 
2. From the right column of the formula builder, select the form data field in which you configured the numeric values. Then, in the formula box, type in "x 1” to create a simple multiplication formula. 
3. Add a name to the Formula.
4. Select the Save formula button to use the formula in the payment step. 

Using Mathematical Operations in a Formula

Taking the same steps provided above, you can take the information that's been added to a submission through a Collect Information step and manipulate it with math. For example, you might want to calculate the cost of a building permit based on the size of the square footage of a building, or add up multiple numeric values to create a total amount.

In this case, once you have selected the appropriate form data field, use a mathematical operator to help create the desired payment fee total. The following mathematical operators are supported in formulas:

• Addition: +
• Subtraction: -
• Multiplication: x
• Division: /
• Parentheses: ( )

Pro Tip: If you’ve already made one formula, you can use it in a second formula to create nested calculations. 

Selecting the formula in the Payment Step

To use your newly created formula, navigate back to the Steps tab and add a Payment Step. Instructions on how to create a Payment Step can be found here. In the Payment Step, select the Calculated option and choose the formula you want to use from the dropdown menu. 

The payment fee will be calculated by the chosen formula. Finish configuring this step by deciding whether you want to accept cash or check, or if you want to pass transaction fees on to the constituents.