# The Formula Entry Bar ## Overview

GIF showing a user entering a calculation into the Formula Entry bar. As the user types, a dropdown appears with the names of Variables and other items to choose from. — Formula Entry Bar example

The **Formula Entry Bar** in the Calculations step of the [**Variable**](https://help.taglo.io/variables) dialog is the fastest way to create Calculations, by typing in a formula, similarly to how you would in Excel. ## Autocomplete Dropdown On typing any text in the Formula Entry Bar, an autocomplete dropdown will appear, as in the examples below: | Dropdown example | Details | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |

Typed in "Peri"

Brings up options for:

Adding reference to current Period
Adding reference to an existing Variable (Months per period)
Adding a reference to a new Variable named Peri
Adding a new Lambda function named Peri()

| |

Typed in "Month"

Brings up options for:

Adding a reference to two existing Variables
Adding a reference to a new Variable named Month
Adding a Function (either EOMONTH or MONTH)
Adding a new Lambda function named Month()

| Autocomplete options can be selected in any one of three ways: 1. Press **`Tab`** to select the first option in the list 2. Click on an option with the **Mouse** 3. Press **`Down`** (arrow key) to navigate through the list, and then press **`Enter`** to select an item ### Full list of Autocomplete option types

Symbol	Type	Details
	Variable Reference	Creates a reference to an existing Variable
	Reference to New Variable	Opens a wizard to create a new Variable; Adds a reference to the new Variable once created
	Period Reference	Creates a reference to a Period of the Model (a date value)
	Function	Adds a (supported) Function name and opening bracket
	Lambda function	Adds a reference to an existing LAMBDA function
	New Lambda function	Opens a wizard to create a new LAMBDA function, and then creates a reference to it
	New Argument	Applies to LET and LAMBDA functions. Creates a new argument which can be referenced in subsequent sections of the function.
	Argument Reference	Applies to LET and LAMBDA functions. References a previously defined argument.

## Referencing a new Variable The [**Taglo interface**](https://help.taglo.io/using-taglo-software/the-taglo-interface) allows you to create and reference a new Variable from within another Variable's calculation, without having to leave the Variable that you are currently editing. This means you can stay within your current train of thought at all times. To do so, follow these steps: 1. Start typing a name for your new Variable in the Formula Entry Bar 2. Select the new Variable (

) autocomplete item in the dropdown 3. A new dialog will open - edit your new Variable here 4. Click Finish in the new dialog - a reference to your new Variable will be created in the formula ## Entering Text To enter text strings, type your text into the Formula Bar using a **"** character (double quotes) to indicate the start and end of the string. When you enter the second **"**, a Text [**Calculation Part**](https://help.taglo.io/calculations/calculation-parts) will be created. ## Entering Numbers To enter numbers, type the number directly into the Formula Bar. Any numbers typed in will automatically be interpreted as a number. {% hint style="info" %} Generally, it is not advisable to hardcode numbers into Calculations. Try to create Variables for these numbers instead.
There are exceptions to this rule such as the hardcoded `1` in inflation formulas like `Cost = Cost[-1] * (1 + Inflation)` {% endhint %} {% hint style="warning" %} If you have a Variable name which starts as a number, this means you may not find it easy to add from the autocomplete dropdown, in which case you can use the **Add Variable Reference**

button which can be found at the end of the list of Calculation Parts. {% endhint %}