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Write a formula in plain English

After this lesson you can turn a column into a formula, either by writing one or by describing it in a sentence to the free formula writer.

1:19 video with captions, written steps and transcript. Checked against Duckrow on October 3, 2026.

0:00 / 1:19

Narration: preview voiceA private equity team marks companies with 20 to 200 staff as a size fit. The companies are example data.

The short answer

Add a Text column and open its settings. In the field, reference other columns as {{Column}} and write a formula such as {{Score}} > 4 ? "Good" : "Bad". Or click Generate with AI, describe what the column should return, and use the formula it writes, for free. Formulas fill every row and run in a locked sandbox.

Step by step

  1. 1Add a Text columnAdd column, then Text. Rename it (double-click the header) and click the header to open its settings.
  2. 2Write the formulaIn Reference data from a column, use a formula, or enter static text, type / to insert a column chip, then write a rule like {{Employees}} >= 20 && {{Employees}} <= 200 ? "Yes" : "No". Save.
  3. 3Or describe itClick Generate with AI, describe what the column should return, then Generate formula. Check the Live preview, then Use this formula. It's free (up to 30 a minute).
  4. 4Check for blanksFormulas run in a sandbox with no network, 50 ms and 32 MB per row. A formula that errors or times out leaves the cell blank.

Try it in Duckrow

About five minutes, in your own workspace.

  1. In a table with a Number column, add a Text column named Size fit.
  2. Open its settings and click Generate with AI.
  3. Describe a rule in one sentence, check the Live preview, and use it.
  4. Change one number and watch Size fit update.

You're done when a column that answers a question on every row by itself.

Check what stuck

Three quick questions. Nothing is saved.

  1. 1. What does Generate with AI cost?

  2. 2. A formula fails on one row. What does that cell show?

  3. 3. How do you insert a column into a formula?

Transcript

0:00A rule on every row

Your thesis wants companies with twenty to two hundred staff. Instead of checking each row, write the rule once.

0:09A column that calculates

Add a Text column called size fit, and open its settings. This field takes a column reference, static text, or a formula. Type a slash to insert a column, like Employees.

0:24Describe it in a sentence

Not sure of the syntax? Click Generate with AI and describe what you want: yes if employees is between twenty and two hundred, otherwise no. It writes the formula and shows a live preview on your rows. Click use this formula. The formula writer is free.

0:43Every row, instantly

Every row fills in, and new rows follow the same rule. Formulas run in a locked sandbox with no network access. A formula that fails leaves the cell blank, so check the preview first.

0:57Recap

To recap. A Text column becomes a formula when you write one in its settings. Generate with AI turns a sentence into a formula, for free. Formulas update every row, in a locked sandbox. Next, run columns safely, with the cost first.