### Formula syntax

Syntax rules are used to create correct formula. Some basic rules are:

- enclose text strings in quotation marks
- enclose arguments in parentheses (where applicable)
- referenced formulas are identified with a leading @ sign.

#### Crystal and Basic Syntax

When creating formulas, you have the option of using either Crystal or Basic syntax. Almost any formula written with one syntax can be written with the other. Reports can contain formulas that use Basic syntax as well as formulas that use Crystal syntax.

Crystal syntax is the formula language included in all prior versions of Seagate Crystal Reports. Basic Syntax is new to Seagate Crystal Reports 8.

If you are familiar with Microsoft Visual Basic or other versions of Basic, then Basic syntax may be more familiar to you. In general, Basic syntax is modeled on Visual Basic except that it has specific extensions to handle reporting.

If you are already comfortable with Crystal syntax, you can continue to use it, and benefit from the new functions, operators and control structures inspired by Visual Basic.

Note: Report processing is not slowed down by using Basic syntax. Reports using Basic syntax formulas can run on any machine that Seagate Crystal Reports runs on. Also, using Basic syntax formulas does not require distributing any additional files with your reports.

###### Related topics

To learn about Basic syntax, see Creating Formulas with Basic Syntax.

To learn about Crystal syntax, see Creating Formulas with Crystal Syntax.

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