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Understanding Formula Behavior with Hidden Columns

Formulas execute only when their column is visible in the RISKSHEET grid. This behavior is critical when working with calculated fields like auto-generated titles or RPN values.
Column StateConditionFormula BehaviorValues
Visiblewidth > 0Executes on sheet loadCalculate automatically
Hiddenwidth = 0Does NOT executeRemain stale or empty
When you hide a formula column, calculations stop executing. If you create work items while a calculated title column is hidden, Polarion will receive empty or incorrect title values. Keep formula columns visible during item creation workflows.

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Configure a Formula Column

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Method 1: Inline Formula Definition

Define the formula directly in risksheet.json: 
{
  "formulas": {
    "calcTitle": "function(info) {\n  var severity = info.item['sev'];\n  var desc = info.item['description'];\n  return 'Risk: ' + desc + ' [Sev:' + severity + ']';\n}"
  },
  "columns": [
    {
      "header": "Title",
      "bindings": "title",
      "type": "string",
      "formula": "calcTitle",
      "readOnly": false,
      "width": 200
    }
  ]
}
For complex formulas, define functions in the Risksheet Top Panel: risksheet.json: 
{
  "formulas": {
    "calcTitle": "(info) => { return generateTitle(info); }"
  }
}
Top Panel Configuration (Menu > ⚙️ > Edit Top Panel): 
<script type="text/javascript">
  function generateTitle(info) {
    var severity = info.item['sev'];
    var occurrence = info.item['occ'];
    var description = info.item['description'];
    var rpn = severity * occurrence;
    return description + ' [RPN:' + rpn + ']';
  }
</script>
Use the Top Panel method when you have multiple formulas or lengthy calculation logic. This keeps risksheet.json readable and makes formula maintenance easier.

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Store Calculated Values in Polarion

By default, formula results exist only in the RISKSHEET UI and are not persisted to Polarion. To store calculated values: 1. Create a Custom Field in Polarion Administration
  • Navigate to Administration > Work Items > Custom Fields
  • Select the work item type (e.g., risk)
  • Add a custom field with ID matching your column binding (e.g., rpn)
  • Set the field to Read-only in Administration to prevent manual editing
2. Enable Write Access in Column Configuration 
{
  "header": "RPN",
  "bindings": "rpn",
  "type": "int",
  "formula": "commonRpn",
  "readOnly": false,
  "width": 60
}
Setting "readOnly": false allows RISKSHEET to write the calculated value back to Polarion during save operations.

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Use Saved Views to Control Column Visibility

You can create multiple saved views to show/hide formula columns for different purposes:
View NameFormula Columns VisibleUse Case
Display ViewYesDaily work, item creation
Export ViewNoPDF/Excel export (formulas already calculated)
Review ViewYesVerification that formulas are correct
Workflow:
Always load a view with formula columns visible at least once per session. This ensures calculations execute before you switch to a view where the columns are hidden.

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Synchronize Formula Values with ‘Check Stored Formulas’

Starting in version 24.5.1, RISKSHEET includes a synchronization feature for formula columns: When to Use:
  • After creating work items with hidden formula columns
  • When formula logic changes and you need to recalculate existing items
  • To verify stored values match current formula definitions
How to Use:
  1. Open RISKSHEET with formula columns visible
  2. Navigate to Menu > ** Check Stored Formulas**
  3. RISKSHEET recalculates all formula columns and compares with stored values
  4. Review items where calculated values differ from stored values
  5. Save to synchronize Polarion with calculated values

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Common Patterns

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Auto-Generated Titles from Multiple Fields

function generateRiskTitle(info) {
  var category = info.item['category'];
  var severity = info.item['sev'];
  var description = info.item['description'];
  
  if (!description) return null;
  
  var prefix = category ? '[' + category + '] ' : '';
  var suffix = severity ? ' (Sev:' + severity + ')' : '';
  
  return prefix + description + suffix;
}

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Conditional Formula Execution

function conditionalRpn(info) {
  var status = info.item['status'];
  
  // Only calculate RPN for active risks
  if (status === 'rejected' || status === 'closed') {
    return null;
  }
  
  var sev = info.item['sev'];
  var occ = info.item['occ'];
  var det = info.item['det'];
  
  return sev * occ * det;
}

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Verification

You should now see:
  • Formula columns calculating values automatically when visible
  • Calculated values appearing in Polarion custom fields after save (if readOnly: false)
  • The ability to switch between display and export views without losing calculated values
  • Synchronization working correctly via ‘Check Stored Formulas’ feature

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See also

KB ArticlesSupport TicketsSource Code
  • PolarionAppConfigManager.java
  • AppConfig.ts
  • ColumnsHelper.ts
  • risksheet.json
  • CellPreviewFormatter.ts