The Formula Editor is a tool in Grades that you can use to make Formula Grade Items or a Formula Grading System. In this article, you can read how to use the Formula Editor.

1. On the Manage Grades page, click on the name of a formula grade item that you would like to edit.
2. Click on Edit using the Formula Editor

1. Formula field

The formula field is where the formula text is shown. The equal symbol (=) at the beginning of the formula cannot be removed. A cursor shows your position in the formula. Click on the formula field to place the cursor.

2. Cursor placement

The cursor placement pictograms are used to move your cursor back and forth in the formula. You can also move the cursor by clicking on a new location. There are four options:

• Move the cursor to the beginning of the formula.
• Move the cursor to the end of the formula.
• Move the cursor one element back.
• Move the cursor one element forward.

3. Grade item parameters

Use the Grade Item drop-down list to see which grade items you can add to the formula as a parameter. You can add numeric, pass/fail, selectbox, and Formula type grade items. You cannot reference to the formula grade item that you are defining (this prevents endless loops) or a final grade.

Use the Grade Item Value drop-down list to see values that have been linked to the grade item that you want to use in your formula. There are three options:

• Points Received: The grade the user achieved (e.g. 7 out of 10 points)
• Max points: the maximum amount of points that is available for a grade item (e.g. 10 points).
• Percentage: The percentage that the student has received (70%).

Click on Insert to add the selected grade parameter to the formula. Add a grade item to a formula in the following way:

1. Select a grade item.
2. Select the Grade Item Value that you want to use in the calculation.
3. Click on Insert.

4. Functions

The Function drop-down list contains a list of functions that you can use in your formula:

• MAX calculates the maximum value in a series of values.
• MIN calculates the minimum value in a series of values.
• SUM calculates the sum (total) of a series of values.
• AVG calculates the average of a set of values by adding all values and then dividing by the number of values.
• IF works as a boolean statement which returns the value that has been set as true or false. You have to define the condition (boolean statement), true (then) value, and false (else) value.
  • Example: IF {condition assignment1.Points Received > 7.5, true (then) 10, false (else) 0}
  • If the amount of points from assignment 1 is higher than 7,5, then the numerical value of 10 will be assigned, if not, then 0.
• NOT works as a boolean statement that returns a value that has been set to true if the condition is false, and return false if the condition is true.

Add a function in a formula

1. Select a Function.
2. Press Start.
3. Add a parameter.
4. Click on Next Term to add another parameter or use the numerical keys and operators to define a condition.
5. Press End once you are done adding parameters and conditions.

5. Numerical keys and operators

The rightmost part of the formula editor contains several operators and a numerical keyboard to create formulas. These operators are usually used in combination with at least one Grade Item.

6. Backspace and Clear

The Backspace and Clear options can be used to delete parts of the formula so that you can make changes.

• Backspace removes the element left of the cursor.
• Clear deletes the entire formula.

7. Cancel

The Cancel button allows you to leave the formula editor without saving changes.

8. Insert

The Insert button validates the formula and applies this to the Grade Item or the final grade you are working on. If the formula is invalid, you will receive an error message and the cursor will move to the part of the formula where the mistake is detected. The error type will be shown in red above the formula.

9. Validate

The Validate button checks whether the formula is in line with the syntax of a standard formula. If the formula is valid, you will see a confirmation message. In case the formula is invalid, you will receive an error message and the cursor will move to the spot in the formula where the mistake is. The error type will be shown in red above the formula. Please see Possible error messages for a list of possible errors.

10. Preview

With the Preview option, you can check how your formula calculates the grades for the first 10 users of the user list. Click on Close if you are done reviewing the grades. If your formula is invalid, you cannot review the grade examples.