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How formulas work in Groundplan: terminology, supported references and structure

Use formula to help quantify parts and labour.

Updated this week

This article establishes what supported feferences are, formula terms and gives examples with explanations for common formula used within Groundplan.

Summary Notes

  • All formulas must start with an equal sign (=) and include one of the supported references associated with the measurement.

  • Either whole or decimal numbers can be used.

  • Groundplan works in metres (feet for imperial customers).

  • Parts and labour may follow our grouping rules, although formula is not included within the rules.

  • Adding parts and labour to measurement article gives step by step instructions to implement formula.

  • Groundplan formulas follow the PMDAS rule. ie: Parentheses (brackets) followed by multiplication, division, addition then subtraction. Calculations within brackets are prioritised. The totals after any formula is applied to a part will be displayed in the bill of materials on the quantities tab.

Term

Explained

+

Addition

-

Subtract or create a negative total

*

Multiply (SHIFT 8 to create a * )

/

Divide

ceil(x)

Rounds the total (x) and/or Formula inside the brackets up to the nearest whole number.

floor(x)

Rounds the total (x) and/or Formula inside the brackets down to the nearest whole number.

Unit of Measure

Displayed on the bill of materials and represents the Part being quantified. Some examples include ea, bags, sheets, rods, pipes, m, m², m³. (Supported references will not reference this UOM for calculations).

Supported references

Formulas for parts within a measurement include related supported references. These references vary according to the measurement type (count vs length vs area). Each formula must contain a supported reference/s to be accepted.

Support references can be used in conjunction with Excel-type formulas to calculate parts and/or labour for a measurement.

Count measurement parts supported references

How count supported references correspond to a plan:

Count formula examples

Formula

Explained

Unit of

Measure

=count*8

For every Count, multiply the item by 8 metres

m

=count*5/100

For every Count, allow 5 items divided by 100 (or amount in a bag)

bags

= -count

Create a negative Count

ea

Length measurement parts supported references

How the main length supported references correspond to a plan:

Unit of measure (UoM) part supported references

Length Measurement

(UoM)

Part supported

reference


▶
​


▶
​


▶
​

Length formula examples

Formula

Explained

Unit of

Measure

=len/6

Total length divided by 6, (counting one length every 6 metres)

lengths

=len*2.4

Total length multiplied by height OR depth

m²

=ceil(len*2)

Total length multiplied by 2 and rounded up to the next whole number (ceil)

m

=segments*2

Each time clicked to change direction multiplied by 2 items along each segment

ea

=len+count*5

Total length add an additional 5m for each run

m

=ceil(len*2.4/2.88)

Total length multiplied by the height and divided by the area covered by a product rounded up to the next whole number (ceil)

sheets

=(len/1.5)+count*2

Total length divided by how often a post is (1.5m) and add for each run 2 extra posts (for each end)

posts

=volume*1.10

Volume multiplied by 10% wastage

m³

Area measurement parts supported references

How the main area supported references correspond to a plan:

Area Measurement

(UoM)

Part supported

reference

▶
​


▶
​

​
▶
​

Area formula examples

Formula

Explained

Unit of

Measure

=area*1.5

Area multiplied by height OR depth

m³

=len

Perimeter of the area

m

=ceil(len/6)

Perimeter of the area (including any cut outs) divided by 6m lengths rounded up to the next whole number

lengths

=area+(len*0.2)

Area added to (perimeter multiplied by 200mm high)

m²

=area/7.2

Total area divided by the area of a sheet / product (7.2m2)

sheets

=area*4/100

In each m² there are 4 items required divided by the amount in a bag

bag

=count

Each area created

ea

=volume*1.10

Volume multiplied by 10% wastage

m³

=area*1.10

Total area multiplied by 10% wastage

m²

=ceil(tiles)

Total sheets size populated then rounded up to the next whole number (ceil)

sheets

To note:

⚠️Warning single length formula


Singling out individual length / areas to apply the formula to is not supported in Groundplan.

For example in the image below, applying formula to the length measured in the master dedroom only is not possible.

Length and area formulas apply to all lengths / areas created within a measurement. For this particular example, a separate measurement would need to be created for the master bed and then apply the formula required.

For further information on specific industry examples, please consult the following articles:

⚠️Warning "IF" formula is not supported


Currently, Groundplan does not support "IF" rules in formula.

eg. IF (area<160,108, (area/2.22)+36).

Explained: If the area of the slab is greater than 160m2, the total labour hours for a standard slab is 108hrs. Otherwise, the labour is calculated as area/2.22 + 36hrs.

We suggest using a program such as Excel for these formula calculations.

For formula assistance, please reach out to Support. Go to: Help > Send us a Message.

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Attached files

Attachment icon
Using Formulas in Groundplan.pdf
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Labour Conversion Chart 2023.pdf
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