---
title: Formula block
slug: analytics/docs/formula-block
docTags: 
createdAt: 2026-07-20T15:44:21.586Z
---

Use a formula block to enter computations that utilize Analytics's formula language, NetScript.

You can use special characters to instantly filter suggestions. Type *@* to bring up a list of all available data columns (events, attributes, and so on) or type *#* to see a list of all available functions. This allows you to quickly find the exact component you need without scrolling through a long list.

As you type, each suggested entity or function will display additional details, such as its data type, a brief description, and usage examples, helping you select the correct item with confidence.

![oa-formula-2.png](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/XrPPIM8HIgbsHmfj7ha3T-20260720-144912.png)

To provide immediate clarity, you can hover over any entity, keyword, or function directly in the editor. A pop-up will appear with comprehensive information, including its description, syntax, and examples.

![oa-formula-4.png](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/lfJkOaUasR2z-wpS40g-y-20260720-144912.png)

For detailed documentation on syntax and functions, see the [NetScript language reference](docId:8NvhL6PRcYM9S-k6jD1N1).

## Example

To calculate the total revenue across purchases, advertisements, and monthly subscriptions,

1. Enter the following formula: **Metrics."Total Ad Revenue" + Metrics."Total Subscription Revenue" + Metrics."Total Purchase Revenue"**. Here, **Total Ad Revenue**, **Total Subscription Revenue**, and **Total Ad Revenue** are all previously created metrics.
2. Click **Run**.

![oa-formula-1.png](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/biasEqWqW7zhnV1Crg8Kj-20260720-144912.png)

## Output

The output of the formula block varies and depends on your formula definition.

:::hint{type="info"}
### How to grab the relevant part of a URL?

You can create a custom **Formula** block to grab the relevant part of a URL, and then group the results using that property.

First, you need to create the custom block.

1\. Open the block panel within the exploration, click **+ >** **Formula**.
2\. Enter the formula to extract the part of the URL. You can use the following syntax:

```auto
regexp_substr(‘abc1’, ‘[0-9]’)
```

This function returns the first substring that matches the regex. 1st arg is the string to search in, 2nd arg is the regex to match. It returns **null** if arg is null or if there is no match, and throws an error if the regex string is invalid. Here is an example:

```auto
*regexp.substr(Events.URL, ‘\\ /[^\\/]*$’)* 
```

3\. Click **Apply** to save the block.
4\. Select the formula block that you created in the **Group by property** section.
5\. Run the exploration, and the legend will show the relevant part of the URL.
:::

## Use warehouse functions in a formula

Pass-through functions let you call functions from your data warehouse in a formula. Use them to apply warehouse logic that NetScript lacks, such as a user-defined function (UDF) from your team. Analytics sends each pass-through function call directly to the warehouse.

Wrap each pass-through function in a type conversion function that declares its return type. Analytics requires the wrapper because it cannot detect the data type that a warehouse function returns. Use one of the following type conversion functions:

- `to_int` – For functions that return an integer.
- `to_float` – For functions that return a floating-point number.
- `to_string` – For functions that return a string.
- `to_boolean` – For functions that return a Boolean value.
- `to_timestamp` – For functions that return a timestamp.

For example, a Snowflake UDF named `num_array_matches` takes two arguments: an array column and a search string. The UDF returns the number of array items that contain the search string. Because the UDF returns an integer, wrap it in `to_int`:

```auto
to_int(num_array_matches(ARRAY_COLUMN, 'abc'))
```

Replace `ARRAY_COLUMN` with the array column from your data.

Pass-through functions support only row-level functions, which return one value for each row. Analytics does not support the following function types as pass-through functions:

- Aggregate functions, such as `SUM`. Use NetScript aggregations instead.
- Window functions, such as `ROW_NUMBER`.
- Functions with arguments that use keywords or other special syntax.