Are There Column Formulas in SharePoint? Explained with Limitations

Are there column formulas in SharePoint? Yes, SharePoint supports column formulas, and here I’m going to explain every formula in detail.

Table of Contents

• What Are Column Formulas in SharePoint?
• Where Can I Use Formulas in SharePoint?
  • #1. Classic SharePoint
  • #2. Modern SharePoint
• Examples of SharePoint Column Formulas I Use
• Limitations of SharePoint Column Formulas
• How to Add a Calculated Column with Formula Step-by-Step
• Are Column Formulas in SharePoint Same as Excel?
• Can I Use Formulas to Update Other Columns?
• Use Power Automate for Advanced Logic
• Author’s Verdict
• People Also Ask

What Are Column Formulas in SharePoint?

Column formulas in SharePoint help us in calculations, check conditions, and perform other automated tasks directly within a SharePoint list or library. These formulas are most commonly used in Calculated Columns. Here’s a visual diagram which helps you to understand the concept more clearly:

Where Can I Use Formulas in SharePoint?

There are two main places to apply formulas:

#1. Classic SharePoint

This is the traditional way to use formulas. I create a new column and set its type to Calculated. Then I enter a formula similar to what I’d use in Excel.

For example:

These formulas update automatically when the data in referenced columns changes.

#2. Modern SharePoint

People often ask, “Are there column formulas in SharePoint?” While it’s not a traditional formula field, I use JSON formatting to change a column’s appearance based on its value, as mentioned in Microsoft’s guide to JSON column formatting. For example:

This doesn’t change the value of the column but changes how it looks, and it’s helpful for highlighting data visually.

Examples of SharePoint Column Formulas I Use

Let me share a few real formulas that I’ve added to my SharePoint lists to simplify workflows.

#1. Calculate Days Open

This helps me track how many days a task has been open.

#2. Combine Text and Values

I often use this to create friendly display titles for reporting views.

#3. Status Logic

One of the most helpful formulas I use is to identify overdue items automatically.

Limitations of SharePoint Column Formulas

Now, are there column formulas in SharePoint? Yes, but they have limitations, I’ve learned:

• SharePoint lookup column not showing all fields
• Cannot trigger workflows or alerts based on calculated column changes
• The formula output is not real-time in views unless the data is updated

I move documents from one SharePoint site to another to preserve calculated values. To overcome these, I sometimes use Power Automate to build more complex logic outside the list.

How to Add a Calculated Column with Formula Step-by-Step

Here’s how I typically create one:

1. Open SharePoint list or library.
2. Click on Settings > List Settings.
3. Under Columns, select Create column.
4. Enter a name, then choose Calculated, which is based on other columns.
5. In the formula box, write your formula.
6. Choose the data type for the result.
7. Save the column.

That’s it. The column will auto-calculate for each row in your list.

Are There Column Formulas in SharePoint the Same as Excel?

Not exactly. SharePoint formulas are based on a subset of Excel functions. I’ve noticed some functions like VLOOKUP, MATCH, and ARRAYFORMULA aren’t supported. But you still get access to:

• Text functions like LEFT, RIGHT, MID, and LEN
• Math functions like ROUND, INT, and MOD
• Date functions like TODAY, NOW, YEAR, MONTH, DAY
• Logical functions like IF, AND, OR, ISBLANK

You can also import Excel to SharePoint list to reuse existing formula-based data.

Can I Use Formulas to Update Other Columns?

This is one question I get a lot, and no, SharePoint column formulas cannot update other columns. They’re read-only, and the result is stored in the calculated column only. If I want to update values based on logic, I typically use Power Automate flows for that.

Use Power Automate for Advanced Logic

For things that go beyond column formulas, like sending emails when a column value changes or updating other fields, I rely on Power Automate. It integrates well with SharePoint and allows for control of conditional logic, loops, approvals, and more.

Author’s Verdict

So, to answer the question “Are there column formulas in SharePoint?” absolutely yes. If you’re managing any kind of SharePoint list or library, learning to use formulas is a great way to boost your productivity.

People Also Ask

• Can SharePoint formulas do conditional formatting?

Not directly. But I use JSON column formatting in modern SharePoint to apply conditional styling.

• Are SharePoint formulas case-sensitive?

Yes, most functions like IF([Status]=”Completed”,…) are case-sensitive. I usually normalise text using LOWER() or UPPER().

• Can I use calculated columns in document libraries?

Yes, I’ve used them in document libraries to calculate values like file size ranges or document age.