Formulas in Structure referencing a global variable

Question

Hi,

I am creating a Structure with a set of filters and formulas. These are dependent on the current quarter (e.g. Q1-24 right now). I would like all formulas to key off of a global variable which would be set to this quarter so I don't need to update all the filters and formulas every quarter on a given board.

I know I could use the current date and deduce the current quarter, but I need the variable to be edited manually so I am in control (e.g. towards the end of Q1 I would want to toggle between Q1 and Q2 as both are interesting).

Any idea whether and how this could be achieved?

Stepan Kholodov · Answer

@Julien Huon

If you need two variables, you can create a folder in the structure, create another folder in it, and then have the issues added to the second folder. And if you need a formula that works with issues and uses two changeable variables, you can reference the variables when they come from the Summary of each folder like this:

- parent#level=-2{summary} for the value of the direct parent folder and
- parent#level=-3{summary} for the value of the top-level folder.

Changing the Summary of either folder should result in the Formula column reacting to that change and recalculating its results.

If you need further assistance, please reach out to us directly at our support portal.

Best regards,
Stepan

Julien Huon_0xbbud · Answer

Not sure I understood the second solution. Let's say I would need 2 global variables, that multiple colum formulas would need the data to calculate, how would you do that with folders and parent references ?

Thanks in advance to clarify with an example as that need of global variables for formulas seems to be more and more requested as an evolution not to have to reconfigure the formulas as soon as the values change.

Stepan Kholodov · Answer

Hello @sagias

If you have multiple formulas that use the same potentially changeable quarter, the easiest way to achieve this would be to have the quarter as a value:

- either in issues with which the formulas work;
- or as a folder's Summary in which the whole structure is presented. The formula can then be referenced as a parent item of any issue in the structure.

I hope this helps. If you need further assistance or have other questions about Structure, please reach out to us directly at our support portal and we'll get back to you shortly.

Best regards,
Stepan
Tempo (the Structure app vendor)