A field expression is a predefined expression used to update record fields based on certain criteria, particularly on the line items. These expressions are managed through the CPQ Admin interface and are essential for automating and customizing the behavior of CPQ according to specific business logic. You can apply field expressions when configuring products and adding a line item to the cart. You can view a line item or attribute field update based on the criteria of a field expression on the cart page. This feature enables you to have the correct configuration while adding the products to the cart. Field expressions can be used to set standard line item fields, such as Selling Term or End Date, based on the criteria of the Line Item or product attributes. For example, if a product attribute named Term has values like 1 Year and 3 Years, a field expression can be written to set the selling term of the line item based on the selected term.
Field expressions are different from formula fields, which are used for calculating values at runtime and can impact performance, especially when used in large numbers on objects like line items. Field expressions are used to update records based on criteria, while formula fields calculate values dynamically based on other field values. While field expressions can update many fields, there are best practices to consider. For instance, using too many formula fields on line items is not advised, as they are calculated at runtime and can impact performance. Instead, using numeric expressions is suggested. The benefits of using field expressions include the ability to automate record updates based on specific criteria, which can streamline processes and reduce the need for manual updates.
Navigating the Field Expressions Page
When you launch the Field Expressions page on the UI, all the existing field expressions are listed on this page along with their details. There are various functionalities available for you to manage the field expressions.
Managing Views
You can manage column width, control which columns are displayed in the grid, freeze/pin a column range, or rearrange the column order. You can also filter the view of records in the grid by performing a keyword search, filtering the list by column value, or applying one or more advanced filters and filter logic. For more information, see Managing the View Settings and Filtering the Records.
Actions available on this page
- Click New Field Expression to create new field expressions.
- Click the ellipsis icon
next to the field expression name to delete an existing field expression. - Click the field expression name link to open the field expression details page.
The following sections describe various operations for managing field expressions: