Creating Formula Tiles
Create Formula-Based Numeric Tiles that calculate values from existing tile inputs using predefined formulas, custom formulas, and CSV bulk creation.
Creating Formula-Based Numeric Tiles
Create a Numeric Tile whose value is calculated from one or more existing tile values.
Formula-Based Numeric Tiles
Formula-based Numeric Tiles allow Motion to calculate a tile value from other available data points.
This is useful when a value is not coming directly from a device, but can be calculated from one or more existing tile values.
For example, a Formula Tile can calculate dew point from temperature and humidity inputs, or calculate a simple average from two temperature tiles.
Formula Tiles are Numeric Tiles. They are intended for calculated numeric values.
When to use a Formula Tile
Use a Formula Tile when you need to:
Calculate a value from one or more existing tile values
Create an indoor air quality or building operations metric that is not directly reported by a device
Use a predefined formula, such as dew point
Create a simple custom formula from existing values
Display the calculated value as a Motion Tile
What Formula Tiles do not do
Formula Tiles calculate values from the current or latest available inputs.
They do not calculate values over a period of time.
For example, a Formula Tile can calculate a dew point value from temperature and humidity inputs. It cannot calculate the average PM2.5 value over the last 30 days.
Permissions
Formula Tiles can be created or updated by:
Administrators
Managers/System Owners
Viewers can view Formula Tiles, but cannot create or update them.
If you do not see the formula options described below, contact your Motion account administrator.
Before creating a Formula Tile
Before creating a Formula Tile, make sure the source values are already available as configured tiles in Motion.
A source tile does not need to be linked to an app to be used in a formula, but the source value must be available in Motion before it can be selected as a formula input.
Formula inputs may come from supported device data sources such as BACnet, Modbus, or LoRaWAN.
Formula Tile options
Motion supports predefined formulas and custom formulas.
Current predefined formulas include:
Dew Point °C
Dew Point °F
Dew Point Spread °C
Dew Point Spread °F
Custom formulas can also be created for simple numeric calculations.
Step 1: Navigate to Add Tiles
Steps
Navigate to Controls
Click Tiles
Click Add Tiles
In the Point-Based Tiles section, select Numeric
Step 2: Select Use formula
In the Create Numeric Tile screen, choose the data source for the tile.
Steps
Find the Data Source section
Select Use formula
Open the formula dropdown
Use device data shows a value from a selected device point.
Use formula calculates a value using a formula.
Step 3: Select a predefined formula
To use a predefined formula, select the formula from the dropdown.
Steps
Click Select a formula
Choose the formula you want to use
Motion will display the required inputs for that formula
For example, Dew Point formulas require temperature and humidity inputs.
Step 4: Select input values
After selecting a predefined formula, select the source values for each required input.
Steps
Choose the Device Name for the first input
Click Select Device Point
Select the device point or tile value to use
Repeat for each required input
Review any conversion, multiplier, or calibration offset fields
Continue when all required inputs are complete
The selected inputs are used by Motion to calculate the Formula Tile value.
Step 5: Review formula validation
Motion validates formulas inline.
If a formula is valid, the formula field appears valid and Motion can calculate the value.
If a formula is not valid, the formula field will show a red border and the formula must be corrected before the tile can be created.
Steps
Review the formula field
Correct any highlighted issues
Confirm that all required inputs are selected
Continue to the tile configuration screen
Step 6: Configure the tile
After the formula is configured, continue to the Configure Tile screen.
Steps
Enter the Tile Name
Enter the Display Name
Configure color, icon, and data display settings
Configure alarms if needed
Link the Formula Tile to any apps if needed
Save the tile
After the tile is saved, it behaves like other Numeric Tiles in Motion.
Custom formulas
Custom formulas can be used for simple numeric calculations.
A custom formula uses variables. Each variable represents a source value that must be selected and configured.
For example:
This formula could be used to calculate the average of two temperature tiles.
Another simple example:
This formula could be used to apply a simple adjustment factor to a PM2.5 tile.
Custom formulas are intended for straightforward calculations. They are not intended to replace advanced analytics, historical reporting, or time-based calculations.
Creating a custom formula
Steps
In the formula dropdown, select Create Custom Formula
Enter the custom formula
Add variables to represent each source value
Select the source device point or tile value for each variable
Review inline validation
Continue when the formula is valid
Custom formula basics
Custom formulas can use standard arithmetic operators.
Common operators include:
Addition: +
Subtraction: -
Multiplication: *
Division: /
Parentheses: ( )
Supported functions may include:
abs()
ceil()
floor()
log()
round()
Use the operators and functions shown in the formula builder. Unsupported formulas or invalid variable names will be shown inline.
Editing Formula Tiles
Formula Tile attributes can be edited after the tile is created.
This includes settings such as:
Tile Name
Display Name
Color
Icon
Data display settings
Alarms
Linked apps
The formula itself cannot be changed after the tile is created.
If the formula needs to change, create a new Formula Tile.
This helps keep the tile’s historical data consistent.
Creating Formula Tiles with CSV Bulk Tile Creation
Formula Tiles can also be created through CSV Bulk Tile Creation.
Use the Formula CSV template from the Bulk Tile Creation workflow and follow the same upload process used for other bulk tile creation workflows.
For more information, see the CSV Bulk Tile Creation page.
Best practices
Use predefined formulas when they match the calculation you need.
Use custom formulas for simple calculations only.
Make sure all source values are already available as configured tiles in Motion.
Use clear variable names that describe the source value.
Keep formulas easy to read and maintain.
Use the Display Name to clearly identify what the Formula Tile represents.
Do not use Formula Tiles for time-based averages, trends, or historical calculations.
Create a new Formula Tile if the formula itself needs to change.
Troubleshooting
I do not see the Use formula option
Confirm that you are creating a Numeric Tile. Formula Tiles are Numeric Tiles.
If you still do not see the option, contact your Motion account administrator.
I cannot select the source value I need
Make sure the source value is already available as a configured tile in Motion.
A source tile does not need to be linked to an app, but it must be available in Motion before it can be used as a formula input.
The formula is highlighted as invalid
Review the formula for missing inputs, unsupported operators, unsupported functions, or invalid variable names.
Use the operators and functions shown in the formula builder.
The Formula Tile value does not look correct
Check the source values, conversion, multiplier, calibration offset, and data display settings.
Also confirm that the selected source tiles are reporting current values.
I want to change the formula after saving the tile
The formula itself cannot be changed after the Formula Tile is created.
Create a new Formula Tile if the calculation needs to change.
I want to calculate an average over time
Formula Tiles do not calculate historical averages or time-based values.
Use Formula Tiles for calculations based on the current or latest available input values.
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