STEP Functions

STEP functions allow you to access a variety of STEP data. Combining function results with static text and comments makes it possible to display a generated result as a value.

STEP functions are commonly used in:

• Calculated Attributes - where the value is not stored in the database, but is calculated on the fly, based on other data in STEP. For more information, see the Creating a Calculated Attribute section of Calculated Attributes in the System Setup / Super User Guide documentation here.
• Bulk Updates - where mass editing functionality is available, for example, to dynamically calculate values or reference targets. For more information, see the Attribute Values: Set Value Operation topic in the Bulk Updates documentation here.
• Business Conditions - where data is tested against a condition, for example, to determine the path for a workflow. For more information, see the Business Condition: Function section of Business Conditions in the Business Rules documentation here.
• Matching and Linking - where Match Algorithms can use Match Code Formulas. For more information, see Configuring Matching Algorithms in the Matching, Linking, and Merging documentation here.
• Key Definitions - where unique IDs (keys) can be defined by a key formula. For more information, see the Creating and Deleting Keys section of the Unique Keys documentation here.
• STEP Publisher - where metadata values from publication hierarchy objects (including publication groups, publications, section, DTP pages, and so forth) are used when mounting pages. One example is using functions to create tables of contents. For more information, see the Creating a Table of Contents Product Template section of the STEP Publisher documentation here.
• AutoPage - uses include taking metadata values from publication hierarchy objects to mount publication template 'furniture.' For more information, see Using the 'getInheritedPublicationValue' Function in AutoPage in the AutoPage documentation here.

• Flatplanner - uses include taking metadata values from publication hierarchy objects to mount publication template 'furniture,' plus displaying calculated values in Baskets, Financial Reports, and the Sticker Book view. For more information, see Using the 'getInheritedPublicationValue' Function in Flatplanner in the Flatplanner documentation here.

For information on the STEP functions that work in a similar or identical manner as functions in Excel, see the Comparing STEP and Excel Functions topic here.

This documentation categorizes functions based on the data accessed. A description of each of the functions is included in the following sections:

• Address Formatting Functions (here)
• Attribute Functions (here)
• Commercial Functions (here)
• Conditional Functions (here)
• Date Functions (here)
• List Functions (here)
• Number Functions (here)
• Other Functions (here)
• Publishing Functions (here)
• Text Functions (here)
• Variable Functions (here)

For information on adding comments to a calculated attribute, see the Comments topic (here)

For information about overriding and restoring calculated attribute values, see the Overriding and Restoring Calculated Attribute Values topic here.