Adding a math column
With the Add math column step, you can write formulas to calculate numeric values — similar to how you might in a spreadsheet.
Building challenge
- Add a card titled “Calculate revenue by row and assign statuses” after our “Reformat date values” card, and drop an Add math column step on the card.
- Within the Add math column step, create a column called Revenue, which is calculated by doing Line Item Price times Units
Check your work ▼
Using the Add Math Column Step in Parabola
With the right set of steps, you can recreate almost anything you do in Excel using Parabola—but with the added benefit of having everything clearly documented on a canvas instead of being trapped inside complex formulas.
One of the most useful steps for numerical calculations is Add Math Column, which allows you to perform math operations across columns, just like you would in a spreadsheet.
How Math Calculations Work in Parabola vs. Excel
In Excel, you’d write a formula like: =A2 * B2
where each value is referenced by a cell address.
In Parabola, formulas work at the column level instead of using individual cell references. Instead of referencing "A2," you reference entire column names using merge tags.
Example: Calculating Revenue
Let’s say we want to calculate revenue by multiplying Line Item Price by Units Sold.
- Add an Add Math Column step.
- Use merge tags to reference columns by wrapping the column names in curly brackets:
{Line Item Price} * {Units Sold} - Click Show Updated Results, and Parabola will create a new column with the calculated revenue values.
Pro Tips for Building Calculations in Parabola
✅ Find Equivalent Functions
- If you're looking for a Parabola step that mirrors an Excel function, type the Excel term into Parabola’s search bar.
- Example: Searching "SUMIF" will suggest relevant steps like Sum by Group.
✅ Break Down Complex Formulas
- If you're trying to recreate a complex Excel formula, copy it into ChatGPT and ask for a bulleted explanation of each step.
- Then, paste that breakdown into a card in Parabola to help document the logic before building it out step by step.
Try It Yourself!
Now, test out the Add Math Column step in the building challenge below. Let us know if you have any questions! 🚀