---
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title: Functions
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---

# Functions

Use functions to transform data from records, perform calculations, or to provide values for Visualforce attributes.

Functions must be used in a Visualforce expression to be evaluated. You can use the following functions in your Visualforce pages.

**note:** Within an email template, merge fields can only be used in formula functions and operations when the merge field belongs to the record the email will be related to, otherwise these fields won’t resolve.

## Date and Time Functions

**note:** The date/time data type might not evaluate correctly in formula expressions for Visualforce pages with an API version less than 20.0. It may be incorrectly interpreted as just a date type.

|Function|Description|Use|
|--------|-----------|---|
|ADDMONTHS|Returns the date that is the indicated number of months before or after a specified date. If the specified date is the last day of the month, the resulting date is the last day of the resulting month. Otherwise, the result has the same date component as the specified date.|`ADDMONTHS` (_date_, _num_) and replace _date_ with the start date and _num_ with the number of months to be added.|
|DATE|Returns a date value from year, month, and day values you enter. Salesforce displays an error on the detail page if the value of the DATE function in a formula field is an invalid date, such as February 29 in a non-leap year.|`DATE(year,month,day)` and replace _year_ with a four-digit year, _month_ with a two-digit month, and _day_ with a two-digit day.|
|DATEVALUE|Returns a date value for a date/time or text expression.|`DATEVALUE(expression)` and replace _expression_ with a date/time or text value, merge field, or expression.|
|DATETIMEVALUE|Returns a year, month, day, and GMT time value.|`DATETIMEVALUE(expression)` and replace _expression_ with a date/time or text value, merge field, or expression.|
|DAY|Returns a day of the month in the form of a number between 1 and 31.|`DAY(date)` and replace _date_ with a date field or value such as _TODAY()_.|
|HOUR|Returns the local time hour value without the date in the form of a number from 1 through 24.|`HOUR(time)` and replace _time_ with a time value or value such as `TIMENOW()`.|
|MILLISECOND|Returns a milliseconds value in the form of a number from 0 through 999.|`MILLISECOND(time)` and replace _time_ with a time value or value such as `TIMENOW()`.|
|MINUTE|Returns a minute value in the form of a number from 0 through 60.|`MINUTE(time)` and replace _time_ with a time value or value such as `TIMENOW()`.|
|MONTH|Returns the month, a number between 1 (January) and 12 (December) in number format of a given date.|`MONTH(date)` and replace _date_ with the field or expression for the date containing the month you want returned.|
|NOW|Returns a date/time representing the current moment. The `NOW` function returns the current date and time in the GMT timezone.|`NOW()`|
|SECOND|Returns a seconds value in the form of a number from 0 through 60.|`SECOND(time)` and replace _time_ with a time value or value such as `TIMENOW()`.|
|TIMENOW|Returns a time value in GMT representing the current moment. Use this function instead of the NOW function if you only want to track time, without a date.|`TIMENOW()`|
|TIMEVALUE|Returns the local time value without the date, such as business hours.|`TIMEVALUE(value)` and replace _value_ with a date/time or text value, merge field, or expression.|
|TODAY|Returns the current date as a date data type. The `TODAY` function returns the current day.|`TODAY()`|
|WEEKDAY|Returns the day of the week for the given date, using 1 for Sunday, 2 for Monday, through 7 for Saturday.|`WEEKDAY(date)`|
|YEAR|Returns the four-digit year in number format of a given date.|`YEAR(date)` and replace _date_ with the field or expression that contains the year you want returned.|

Example `NOW`:

```visualforce
Today's date and time is: {!NOW()}
```

Output:

```nolang
Today's date and time is: Mon Jul 21 16:12:10 GMT 2008
```

**Tips:** Don’t remove the parentheses. Keep the parentheses empty. They do not need to contain a value. Use addition or subtraction operators and a number with a `NOW` function to return a different date and time. For example, `{!NOW() +5}` calculates the date and time five days ahead of now. If you prefer to use a date time field, use TODAY.

Example `TODAY`:

```visualforce
Today's date is: {!TODAY()}
```

Output:

```nolang
Today's date is: Mon Jul 21 00:00:00 GMT 2008
```

**Tips:** Do not remove the parentheses. Keep the parentheses empty. They do not need to contain a value. Use addition and subtraction operators with a `TODAY` function and numbers to return a date. For example, `{!TODAY() +7}` calculates the date seven days ahead of now. If you prefer to use a date time field, use NOW.

## Logical Functions

|Function|Description|Use|
|--------|-----------|---|
|AND|Returns a TRUE response if all values are true; returns a FALSE response if one or more values are false. The following markup displays the word “Small” if the price and quantity are less than one. This field is blank if the asset has a price or quantity greater than one. You can use `&&` instead of the word `AND` in your Visualforce markup. For example, `AND(Price < 1, Quantity < 1)` is the same as `(Price < 1) && (Quantity < 1)`. Make sure the _value_if_true_ and _value_if_false_ expressions have the same data type.|`AND(logical1,logical2,...)` and replace _logical1,logical2,..._ with the values that you want evaluated.|
|BLANKVALUE|Determines if an expression has a value and returns a substitute expression if it doesn’t. If the expression has a value, returns the value of the expression.|`BLANKVALUE(expression, substitute_expression)` and replace _expression_ with the expression you want evaluated; replace _substitute_expression_ with the value you want to replace any blank values.|
|CASE|Checks a given expression against a series of values. If the expression is equal to a value, returns the corresponding result. If it isn't equal to any values, it returns the `else_result`.|`CASE(expression,value1, result1, value2, result2,..., else_result)` and replace _expression_ with the field or value you want compared to each specified value. Replace each value and result with the value that must be equivalent to return the result entry. Replace _else_result_ with the value you want returned when the expression doesn't equal any values.|
|IF|Determines if expressions are true or false. Returns a given value if true and another value if false. The following markup returns “Private” if the opportunity `IsPrivate` field is set to true; it returns “Not Private” if the field is set to false.|`IF(logical_test, value_if_true, value_if_false)` and replace _logical_test_ with the expression you want evaluated; replace _value_if_true_ with the value you want returned if the expression is true; replace _value_if_false_ with the value you want returned if the expression is false.|
|ISBLANK|Determines if an expression has a value and returns TRUE if it does not. If it contains a value, this function returns FALSE.|`ISBLANK(expression)` and replace _expression_ with the expression you want evaluated.|
|ISCLONE|Checks if the record is a clone of another record and returns TRUE if one item is a clone. Otherwise, returns FALSE.|`ISCLONE()`|
|ISNEW|Checks if the formula is running during the creation of a new record and returns TRUE if it is. If an existing record is being updated, this function returns FALSE.|`ISNEW()`|
|ISNULL|Determines if an expression is null (blank) and returns TRUE if it is. If it contains a value, this function returns FALSE.| |
|ISNUMBER|Determines if a text value is a number and returns TRUE if it is. Otherwise, it returns FALSE.|`ISNUMBER(text)` and replace _text_ with the merge field name for the text field.|
|NOT|Returns FALSE for TRUE and TRUE for FALSE.The following markup returns the value of `ReportAcct` if the account `IsActive` field is set to false. It returns the value of `SaveAcct` if `IsActive` is set to true. You can use `!` instead of the word `NOT` in your Visualforce markup. For example, `NOT(Account.IsActive)` is the same as `!Account.IsActive)`.|`NOT(logical)` and replace _logical_ with the expression that you want evaluated.|
|NULLVALUE|Determines if an expression is null (blank) and returns a substitute expression if it is. If the expression is not blank, returns the value of the expression.|`NULLVALUE(expression, substitute_expression)` and replace _expression_ with the expression you want to evaluate; replace _substitute_expression_ with the value you want to replace any blank values.|
|OR|Determines if expressions are true or false. Returns TRUE if any expression is true. Returns FALSE if all expressions are false. The following markup will return the value of `VerifyAcct` if either account field `IsActive__c` or `IsNew__c` is set to true. You can use `||` instead of the word `OR` in your Visualforce markup. For example, `OR(Price < 1, Quantity < 1)` is the same as `((Price < 1) || (Quantity < 1))`.|`OR(logical1, logical2...)` and replace any number of logical references with the expressions you want evaluated.|
|PRIORVALUE|Returns the previous value of a field.|`PRIORVALUE(field)`|

Example `AND`:

```visualforce
{!IF(AND(Price < 1,
   Quantity < 1),
   "Small", null)}
```

Example `IF`:

```visualforce
{!IF(opportunity.IsPrivate, "Private", "Not Private")}
```

Example `ISNULL`:

```nolang
(IF(ISNULL(Maint_Amount__c), 0, 1) + ​
 IF(ISNULL(Services_Amount__c), 0,1) + ​
  IF(ISNULL(Discount_Percent__c), 0, 1) + ​
   IF(ISNULL(Amount), 0, 1) +​
    IF(ISNULL(Timeline__c), 0, 1)) / 5
```

Example `NOT`:

```visualforce
{!IF(NOT(Account.IsActive)ReportAcct, SaveAcct)}
```

Example `OR`:

```visualforce
{!IF(OR(Account.IsActive__c, 
   Account.IsNew__C)) 
   VerifyAcct, CloseAcct)}
```

## Math Functions

|Function|Description|Use|
|--------|-----------|---|
|ABS|Calculates the absolute value of a number. The absolute value of a number is the number without its positive or negative sign.|_ABS(number)_ and replace _number_ with a merge field, expression, or other numeric value that has the sign you want removed.|
|CEILING|Rounds a number up to the nearest integer, away from zero if negative.|`CEILING(number)` and replace _number_ with the field or expression you want rounded.|
|EXP|Returns a value for e raised to the power of a number you specify.|`EXP(number)` and replace _number_ with a number field or value such as 5.|
|FLOOR|Returns a number rounded down to the nearest integer, towards zero if negative.|`FLOOR(number)` and replace _number_ with a number field or value such as 5.245.|
|LN|Returns the natural logarithm of a specified number. Natural logarithms are based on the constant e value of 2.71828182845904.=|`LN(number)` and replace _number_ with the field or expression for which you want the natural logarithm.|
|LOG|Returns the base 10 logarithm of a number.|`LOG(number)` and replace _number_ with the field or expression from which you want the base 10 logarithm calculated.|
|MAX|Returns the highest number from a list of numbers.|`MAX(number, number,...)` and replace _number_ with the fields or expressions from which you want to retrieve the highest number.|
|MCEILING|Rounds a number up to the nearest integer, towards zero if negative.|`MCEILING(number)`|
|MFLOOR|Rounds a number down to the nearest integer, away from zero if negative.|`MFLOOR(number)`|
|MIN|Returns the lowest number from a list of numbers.|`MIN(number, number,...)` and replace _number_ with the fields or expressions from which you want to retrieve the lowest number.|
|MOD|Returns a remainder after a number is divided by a specified divisor.|`MOD(number, divisor)` and replace _number_ with the field or expression you want divided; replace _divisor_ with the number to use as the divisor.|
|ROUND|Returns the nearest number to a number you specify, constraining the new number by a specified number of digits.|`ROUND(number, num_digits)` and replace _number_ with the field or expression you want rounded; replace _num_digits_ with the number of decimal places you want to consider when rounding.|
|SQRT|Returns the positive square root of a given number.|`SQRT(number)` and replace _number_ with the field or expression you want computed into a square root.|

## Text Functions

|Function|Description|Use|
|--------|-----------|---|
|BEGINS|Determines if text begins with specific characters and returns TRUE if it does. Returns FALSE if it doesn't. The following markup will return true if the opportunity `StageName` field begins with the string “Closed”. Standard stage names “Closed Won” and “Closed Lost” would both return true. This function is case-sensitive so be sure your _compare_text_ value has the correct capitalization. Also, this function only works with text, not with numbers or other data types.|`BEGINS(text, compare_text)` and replace _text, compare_text_ with the characters or fields you want to compare.|
|BR|Inserts a line break in a string of text.|`BR()`|
|CASESAFEID|Converts a 15-character ID to a case-insensitive 18-character ID.|`CASESAFEID(id)` and replace _id_ with the object’s ID.|
|CONTAINS|Compares two arguments of text and returns TRUE if the first argument contains the second argument. If not, returns FALSE.The following example checks the content of a custom text field named `Product_Type` and returns “Parts” for any product with the word “part” in it. Otherwise, it returns “Service.”This function is case-sensitive so be sure your _compare_text_ value has the correct capitalization.|`CONTAINS(text, compare_text)` and replace _text_ with the text that contains the value of _compare_text_.|
|FIND|Returns the position of a string within a string of text represented as a number.|`FIND(search_text, text[, start_num])` and replace _search_text_ with the string you want to find, replace _text_ with the field or expression you want to search, and replace _start_num_ with the number of the character from which to start searching from left to right.|
|GETSESSIONID|Returns the user’s session ID.|`GETSESSIONID()`|
|HTMLENCODE|Encodes text and merge field values for use in HTML by replacing characters that are reserved in HTML, such as the greater-than sign (>), with HTML entity equivalents, such as `&gt;`.|`{!HTMLENCODE(text)}` and replace _text_ with the merge field or text string that contains the reserved characters.|
|ISPICKVAL|Determines if the value of a picklist field is equal to a text literal you specify.|`ISPICKVAL(picklist_field, text_literal)` and replace _picklist_field_ with the merge field name for the picklist; replace _text_literal_ with the picklist value in quotes. _text_literal_ cannot be a merge field or the result of a function.|
|JSENCODE|Encodes text and merge field values for use in JavaScript by inserting escape characters, such as a backslash (\\), before unsafe JavaScript characters, such as the apostrophe (').|`{!JSENCODE(text)}` and replace _text_ with the merge field or text string that contains the unsafe JavaScript characters.|
|JSINHTMLENCODE|Encodes text and merge field values for use in JavaScript inside HTML tags by replacing characters that are reserved in HTML with HTML entity equivalents and inserting escape characters before unsafe JavaScript characters. `JSINHTMLENCODE(someValue)` is a convenience function that is equivalent to `JSENCODE(HTMLENCODE((someValue))`. That is, `JSINHTMLENCODE` first encodes _someValue_ with `HTMLENCODE`, and then encodes the result with `JSENCODE`.|`{!JSINHTMLENCODE(text)}` and replace _text_ with the merge field or text string that contains the unsafe JavaScript characters.|
|LEFT|Returns the specified number of characters from the beginning of a text string.|`LEFT(text, num_chars)` and replace _text_ with the field or expression you want returned; replace _num_chars_ with the number of characters from the left you want returned.|
|LEN|Returns the number of characters in a specified text string.`{!LEN(Account.name)}` returns the number of characters in the Account name. `LEN` counts spaces as well as characters. `{!LEN("The Spot")}` returns 8.|`LEN(text)` and replace _text_ with the field or expression whose length you want returned.|
|LOWER|Converts all letters in the specified text string to lowercase. Any characters that are not letters are unaffected by this function. Locale rules are applied if a locale is provided.|`LOWER(text, [locale])` and replace _text_ with the field or text you wish to convert to lowercase, and _locale_ with the optional two-character ISO language code or five-character locale code, if available.|
|LPAD|Inserts characters you specify to the left-side of a text string.|`LPAD(text, padded_length[, pad_string])` and replace the variables: _text_ is the field or expression you want to insert characters to the left of. _padded_length_ is the number of total characters in the text that will be returned. _pad_string_ is the character or characters that should be inserted. _pad_string_ is optional and defaults to a blank space. If the value in _text_ is longer than _pad_string_, _text_ is truncated to the size of _padded_length_.|
|MID|Returns the specified number of characters from the middle of a text string given the starting position.|`MID(text, start_num, num_chars)` and replace _text_ with the field or expression to use when returning characters; replace _start_num_ with the number of characters from the left to use as a starting position; replace _num_chars_ with the total number of characters to return.|
|RIGHT|Returns the specified number of characters from the end of a text string.|`RIGHT(text, num_chars)` and replace _text_ with the field or expression you want returned; replace _num_chars_ with the number of characters from the right you want returned.|
|RPAD|Inserts characters that you specify to the right-side of a text string.|`RPAD(text, padded_length[, 'pad_string'])` and replace the variables: _text_ is the field or expression after which you want to insert characters. _pad_length_ is the number of total characters in the text string that will be returned. _pad_string_ is the character or characters to insert. _pad_string_ is optional and defaults to a blank space. If the value in _text_ is longer than _pad_string_, _text_ is truncated to the size of _padded_length_.|
|SUBSTITUTE|Substitutes new text for old text in a text string.|`SUBSTITUTE(text, old_text, new_text)` and replace _text_ with the field or value for which you want to substitute values, _old_text_ with the text you want replaced, and _new_text_ with the text you want to replace the _old_text_.|
|TEXT|Converts a percent, number, date, date/time, or currency type field into text anywhere formulas are used. Also, converts picklist values to text in approval rules, approval step rules, workflow rules, escalation rules, assignment rules, auto-response rules, validation rules, formula fields, field updates, and custom buttons and links.|`TEXT(value)` and replace _value_ with the field or expression you want to convert to text format. Avoid using any special characters besides a decimal point (period) or minus sign (dash) in this function.|
|TRIM|Removes the spaces and tabs from the beginning and end of a text string.|`TRIM(text)` and replace _text_ with the field or expression you want to trim.|
|UPPER|Converts all letters in the specified text string to uppercase. Any characters that are not letters are unaffected by this function. Locale rules are applied if a locale is provided.|`UPPER(text, [locale])` and replace _text_ with the field or expression you wish to convert to uppercase, and _locale_ with the optional two-character ISO language code or five-character locale code, if available.|
|URLENCODE|Encodes text and merge field values for use in URLs by replacing characters that are illegal in URLs, such as blank spaces, with the code that represent those characters as defined in *RFC 3986, Uniform Resource Identifier (URI): Generic Syntax*. For example, blank spaces are replaced with `%20`, and exclamation points are replaced with `%21`.|`{!URLENCODE(text)}` and replace _text_ with the merge field or text string that you want to encode.|
|VALUE|Converts a text string to a number.|`VALUE(text)` and replace _text_ with the field or expression you want converted into a number.|

Example `BEGINS`:

```visualforce

   {!BEGINS(opportunity.StageName, 'Closed')}
 
```

Example `CONTAINS`:

```visualforce
{!IF(contains(opportunity.Product_Type__c, "part"), "Parts", "Service")}
```

## Advanced Functions

|Function|Description|Use|
|--------|-----------|---|
|CURRENCYRATE|Returns the conversion rate to the corporate currency for the given currency ISO code. If the currency is invalid, returns 1.0.|`CURRENCYRATE(currency_ISO_code)` and replace _currency_ISO_code_ with a currency ISO code, such as “USD”.|
|GETRECORDIDS|Returns an array of strings in the form of record IDs for the selected records in a list, such as a list view or related list.|`{!GETRECORDIDS(object_type)}` and replace _object_type_ with a reference to the custom or standard object for the records you want to retrieve.|
|IMAGEPROXYURL|Securely retrieves external images and prevents unauthorized requests for user credentials.|`<apex:image value="{!IMAGEPROXYURL("http://exampledomain.com/pic.png")}"/>` and replace _http://exampledomain.com/pic.png_ with your image.|
|INCLUDE|Returns content from an s-control snippet. Use this function to reuse common code in many s-controls.|`{!INCLUDE(source, [inputs])}` and replace _source_ with the s-control snippet you want to reference. Replace _inputs_ with any information you need to pass the snippet.|
|ISCHANGED|Compares the value of a field to the previous value and returns TRUE if the values are different. If the values are the same, this function returns FALSE.|`ISCHANGED(field)` and replace _field_ with the name of the field you want to compare.|
|JUNCTIONIDLIST|Returns a JunctionIDList based on the provided IDs.|`JUNCTIONIDLIST(id, id,...)` and replace _id_ with the Salesforce ID you want to use.|
|LINKTO|Returns a relative URL in the form of a link (href and anchor tags) for a custom s-control or Salesforce page.|`{!LINKTO(label, target,​ id, [inputs], [no override]}​` and replace _label_ with the text for the link, _target_ with the URL, and _id_ with a reference to the record. Inputs are optional and can include any additional parameters you want to add to the link. The _no override_ argument is also optional and defaults to “false.” It applies to targets for standard Salesforce pages such as $Action.Account.New. Replace _no override_ with “true” when you want to display a standard Salesforce page regardless of whether you have defined an override for it elsewhere. |
|PREDICT|Returns an Einstein Discovery prediction for a record based on the specified record ID or for a list of fields and their values.|`PREDICT(PredDefId, [recordId] | [field, value, ...])`. Replace _PredDefId_ with the Prediction Definition ID of a deployed prediction in your org. Specify the _recordId_ of the record to predict or a list of fields and their associated values (_[field, value, ...]_).|
|REGEX|Compares a text field to a regular expression and returns TRUE if there is a match. Otherwise, it returns FALSE. A regular expression is a string used to describe a format of a string according to certain syntax rules.|`REGEX(text, regex_text)` and replace _text_ with the text field, and _regex_text_ with the regular expression you want to match.|
|REQUIRESCRIPT|Returns a script tag with source for a URL you specify. Use this function when referencing the Lightning Platform AJAX Toolkit or other JavaScript toolkits.|`{!REQUIRESCRIPT(url)}` and replace _url_ with the link for the script that is required.|
|URLFOR|Returns a URL for an action, an s-control, a Visualforce page, or a file in a static resource archive. `URLFOR` is available for use in custom buttons and links, s-controls, and Visualforce pages.|`{!URLFOR(target, [id], [inputs], [no override])} ` and replace _target_ with the URL or action, s-control, or static resource merge variable; _id_ with an optional reference to the record; and _inputs_ with any optional parameters. The _no override_ argument is also optional and defaults to `false`. It applies to targets for standard Salesforce pages such as `$Action.Account.New`. Replace _no override_ with `true` when you want to display a standard Salesforce page regardless of whether you have defined an override for it elsewhere. To access a Visualforce page, enter the page name preceded by `$Page`. For example, if your Visualforce page is named `myTestPage`, use `{!URLFOR($Page.myTestPage)}`. To return a reference to a file contained in a [static resource](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/platform/salesforce-pages-developers-guide/resources/pages-resources.md) archive (such as a .zip or .jar file), use the format `{!URLFOR(resource, path)}`. Replace _resource_ with the name of the static resource archive expressed as a merge variable (for example, `$Resource.resourceName`), and _path_ with the local path to the file in the archive that you want to reference. Use the `[inputs]` array to provide name-value pairs, which are added to the URL as query string parameters. Input values can be dynamic.|
|VLOOKUP|Returns a value by looking up a related value on a custom object similar to the VLOOKUP() Excel function.|`VLOOKUP(field_to_return, field_on_lookup_object, lookup_value)` and replace _field_to_return_ with the field that contains the value you want returned, _field_on_lookup_object_ with the field on the related object that contains the value you want to match, and _lookup_value_ with the value you want to match. You can only use VLOOKUP() in validation rules. If the function fails because, for example, the _field_on_lookup_object_ doesn’t exist, you can specify an error message in the validation rule itself.|

**Note:** As of Winter ’25, all Visualforce pages are served on the `force.com` domain or a site domain. `URLFOR` currently returns an absolute URL for all Visualforce pages. See [Ensure Access to Your Visualforce Pages in Summer ’24 and Winter ’25](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=001406148&type=1).

Example `URLFOR`:

```visualforce
{!URLFOR($Page.myTestPage)}
```

Example `URLFOR`:

```nolang
{!URLFOR($Page.myVisualforcePage, null, [accountId=Account.Id])}
```

Example `URLFOR`:

```nolang
https://MyDomainName--PackageName.vf.force.com/apex/myVisualforcePage?accountId=001B0000002txol
```

**Note:** Parameter names are static. This means you can’t use a variable to determine the parameter name. For example, if you use `[myVariable="value1"]` and set `myVariable` to `"param1"`, the resulting URL includes `?myVariable=value1` and not the `param1` value. Query string parameters are intended for short, simple values. Don’t try to be clever, for example, by encoding complex values as JSON. If your request needs to pass more data, use a Visualforce form component, and send the data in the POST request body.