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Formula Tags

Formula evaluation coming soon

Formula expressions are stored and preserved in templates (including on import from DocuSign), but live evaluation during signing — where the formula calculates in real time as recipients fill in values — is not yet available. This page describes how the feature will work when the evaluation engine is released.

A formula tag will display a value calculated automatically from other number fields on the document. As recipients fill in the numbers, the formula updates in real time, so they always see the correct total without having to calculate anything themselves.

Common uses:

  • Invoice totals: quantity × unit price
  • Tax lines: subtotal × tax rate
  • Grand totals: sum of multiple line items
  • Per-person cost: total ÷ number of people

Formula tags are read-only, recipients can see the result but can't edit it.

Setting Up a Formula Tag​

  1. Place a Formula tag on the document where you want the calculated result to appear.
  2. In the properties panel, open Formula Settings.
  3. Enter the formula using the number tags you've placed on the document as inputs.
  4. Set how many decimal places to show (default is 2).
  5. Optionally set a fallback value to show before all inputs are filled in.

To reference a number tag in the formula, use the tag's Label in square brackets, for example, [Quantity] or [UnitPrice]. The label must match exactly, including capitalization.

The properties panel shows a list of available number tags you can click to insert into the formula without typing the label manually.

Formula Examples​

Invoice line total (quantity × price):

[Quantity] * [UnitPrice]

Subtotal after discount:

([Quantity] * [UnitPrice]) - [Discount]

Tax at 8%:

[Subtotal] * 0.08

Grand total (subtotal + tax):

[Subtotal] + [Tax]

Per-person cost:

[TotalCost] / [NumPeople]

Operators: + add, - subtract, * multiply, / divide. Use parentheses to control the order of calculation.

note

Formula tags can only reference Number tags. Text, Date, Dropdown, and other types can't be used as formula inputs.

Testing Formulas​

Formula tags show the formula expression itself in the template editor preview, not a calculated value. Once live evaluation is available, you'll be able to send a test agreement to yourself to confirm the formula calculates correctly.

Troubleshooting​

Formula shows a fallback value or nothing, Check that all referenced number tags have been filled in and that the tag labels in the formula match exactly (labels are case-sensitive).

Result seems wrong, Check for division by zero (if a referenced field contains 0 and it appears as a divisor). Also confirm you're using * for multiplication, not x.

Formula doesn't calculate in the editor, This is expected. Formula expressions are displayed as-is in the editor and will evaluate during live signing once that feature is released.