REVIT FAMILIES 103 FORMULA BASICS

Keep in mind that Revit is aware of units. So to avoid getting an inconsistent units
error remember to divide and multiply when appropriate.
For example, these are correct formula:
(Length_A * Length_B) = Area_C
(Length_A * Length_B)/1 = Length_C

Basic opperators:
+

Add: 15 + 0 6 + Length

sin

Sine: sin(75)

Subtract: 1 2 Width

cos

Cosine:
cos(75)

Multiply: Length * Width

tan

Tangent:
tan(75)

Divide: Length / 8

asin

Arcsine:
asin(75)

Exponent: x^y, x raised to the y

power

aco
s

Arccosine:
acos(75)

log

Logarithm: log (100)

ata
n

Arctangent:
atan(75)

sqr
t

Square root: sqrt(64), square root

of 64 = 8

exp

E raised to an x power: exp(2)

abs

Absolute Value: abs(-2), will return

2

pi

pi: pi() * (Radius ^ 2),

the formula for Circumference

Conditional Statements
A conditional statement uses this structure:
IF (<condition>, <result-if-true>, <result-if-false>)
This means that the values entered for the parameter depend on whether the
condition is satisfied (true) or not satisfied (false). If the condition is true, the software
returns the true value. If the condition is false, it returns the false value.

Supported Conditional Operators

<

Less Than

>

Greater Than

Equal to

Divide: Length / 8

AND

Both statements are true

OR

One of the statements is true

NOT

Statement is false

Conditional statements can contain numeric values, numeric parameter names, and
Yes/No parameters.
Currently, <= and >= are not implemented. To express such a comparison, you can
use a logical NOT. For example, a<=b can be entered as NOT(a>b). For more
information see Revit Families 402 Greater Than or Equal To

Sample Conditional Statements

Simple IF Statement
IF (Length < 30, 2 6, 4)
Formula That Returns Strings
IF (Length > 30, This thing is tall, This thing is short)
Using logical AND
IF ( AND (x = 1 , y = 2), 8 , 3 )
This will return <true> if both x=1 and y=2, else <false>
Using logical OR
IF ( OR ( A = 1 , B = 3 ) , 8 , 3 )
This will return <true> if either A=1 or B=3, else <false>
Nested IF statements
IF ( Length < 10 , 1 , IF ( Length < 20 , 2 , IF ( Length < 30 , 3 , 4 ) ) )
Returns 1-0 if Length<10-0, 2-0 if Length<20-0, 3-0 if Length<30-0 and 4-0 if
Length>30-0
IF with Yes/No condition
Length > 10
(Note that both the condition and the results are implied.)
Returns checked box <true> if Length > 10
NOT with Yes/No condition
not(myCheckbox)
Returns checked box (<true>) of Yes/No parameter myCheckbox is unchecked, and
it returns <false> if myCheckbox is checked.

Rounding

Prior to Revit 2012 the only way to round numbers was to pass a number through an
integer parameter. The integer parameter always rounds to the nearest whole
number with the standard mathematical rounding rules of:
Down -> for fractions of 0.0 to 0.49 and -0.5 to -0.99
Up -> for fractions of 0.05 to 0.99 and -0.49 to 0.0
As of Revit 2012 we now have three additional functions to use!!
Note that x is unit-less
Round(x)
Rounds to the nearest whole number per the standard rules mentioned above.
round (1.1) = 1
round (1.5) = 2
round (1.7) = 2
round (-1.1) = 1
round (-1.5) = 1
round (-1.7) = 2
Roundup(x)
Rounds to the largest whole number greater than or equal to x.
round (1.0) = 1
round (1.5) = 2
round (1.6) = 2
round (-1.0) = 1
round (-1.5) = 1
round (-1.6) = 1
Rounddown(x)
Rounds to the smallest whole number less than or equal to x.

round
round
round
round
round
round

(1.0) = 1
(1.5) = 1
(1.6) = 1
(-1.0) = 1
(-1.5) = 2
(-1.6) = 2

Some Extra Stuf

Revit allows you to use integers, decimals, fractional values, and parameter names in
formulas. You can enter dimensions in feet and inches just like you do in dimension
strings. Remember that parameter names are case sensitive.
You can enter a value in a formula essentially locking it across all types. This is an
alternative to locking the dimension in the model.
Instance and Type parameters can not be used in the same formula.
Its a good idea to not name your parameters with any of the mathematical operators
in this list.