How do math with values of variables through automation?

[Sreelal CS]

I would like to automate a calculation through automation rule.

Here, I have a task having custom field = X (numeric)

X= (A+B)/C, where

A&C= custom field of Task

B= sum of custom fields of child of Task

Here, A&C are numeric values and B is calculated value created through app. 

Now, B is not a field (only used for calculation purpose)

Option1 - Solution I have tried (didn't work):

1. Created B as a field in Task
2. Automated (A+B) and stored as variable x -  {{customfield_12345.Plus(customfield_23456)}}
3. then x is divided by C and stored as variable y - {{x.divide(customfield_34567)}}
4. display y in field X {{y}}

The rule run successfully. But no output as such.

Option 2 - The solution worked:

1. Created B as a field in Task
2. Created field D to get A+B (automation)
3. X=D/C (automation)

Is there a way if I can go with option 1 without creating field B?

[Bill Sheboy]

Hi @Sreelal CS 

Created variables are text strings and so they usually need to be converted to numbers for use in math expressions: https://support.atlassian.com/cloud-automation/docs/jira-smart-values-text-fields/#asNumber

For your example of a variable named "x" divided by a number custom field, customfield_34567:

{{x.asNumber.divide(customfield_34567)}}

Kind regards,
Bill

[Yi Meng]

Hi @Bill Sheboy 

I created 2 variables in Jira automation. One is {{WIPnumber}} and the other is {{All}}

I converted them using asNumber to divide them and I want to update the result in a number field. 

My formula is like

{{WIPnumber.asNumber.divide(All.asNumber)}}

But the result is always 0. At the same time, I update custom fields with these variables and it works fine. And I use the value of these custom fields to do the math, it also works fine. 

Below is how I edit my custom field value.

{{issue.customfield_10035.divide(issue.customfield_10034)}}*100

 Does it mean I can't calculate 2 variables even I converted them to numbers? Thanks,

[Bill Sheboy]

Hi @Yi Meng 

First thing, this is a very old thread, and so I recommend creating new questions for such cases, and perhaps adding a link back to the older one for context.  That will ensure the maximum number of people see it to offer suggestions.

Next, when a created variable is converted with asNumber for inline math expressions, the type (integer or floating-point) is preserved from left-to-the-right.  And so if your WIPnumber variable is an integer, the division will be integer-based, truncating any decimal digits.

To get a floating-point result, use the long-format of math expression:

{{#=}}{{WIPnumber}} / {{All}}{{/}}

You may add the ROUND() function when you want to manage the precision of the result.

To learn a lot more detail about using created variables as numbers, please see this recent article I wrote on the topic:

https://community.atlassian.com/t5/Automation-articles/Automation-concepts-Using-Created-Variables-as-Numbers/ba-p/2953116

Kind regards,
Bill

[Yi Meng]

Thank you @Bill Sheboy  This works.