OpenBOM 101 – Formula and Calculations

Oleg Shilovitsky
Oleg Shilovitsky
16 May, 2019 | 1 min for reading
OpenBOM 101 – Formula and Calculations

Formulas in OpenBOM are equations you create in a cell which performs simple arithmetic operations using the designated cells.  The basic principle to understand is that a formula equation is in the usage of properties as parameters for the formula. The formula is always defined in the context of a specific line (Item).

So if you have a BOM like this one.

A simple formula calculating Ext Cost based on quantity and formula.

The second type of simple formulas in OpenBOM is called rollup. The property to define rollup is in the bottom of the grid. You can enable it by selecting the menu – Enable Totals. Rollup value will show up. You can edit formula for rollup as well.

The following video gives you an idea how it can work.

Conclusion.

OpenBOM formula and calculation is a powerful yet very flexible mechanism to do a very basic, but important calculation based on these formulas.

You can try formula by registering to FREE OPENBOM USER account.

Best, Oleg

PS. Let’s get to know each other better. If you live in the Greater Boston area, I invite you for a coffee together (coffee is on me). If not nearby, let’s have a virtual coffee session — I will figure out how to send you a real coffee.

Want to learn more about PLM? Check out my Beyond PLM blog and PLM Book website

Related Posts

Also on OpenBOM

4 6
30 March, 2026

How to define part number strategy, revision control, and BOM types early in your OpenBOM rollout When companies start an...

27 March, 2026

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “what type of bill of materials do I actually need?”, you’re not alone. In my...

27 March, 2026

This guide explains the product release process in manufacturing – what it is, how it works, and how PLM software...

27 March, 2026

This guide explains how revision control works in multi-level Bills of Materials (BOMs): what it is, why it’s complex, and...

26 March, 2026

Why CAD, BOM, ERP, Excel, and even PLM don’t actually own your product knowledge. Everyone knows who owns CAD. Engineering....

26 March, 2026

Most engineers understand change management the way it’s been taught for decades: you identify something that needs to change, you...

24 March, 2026

Product lifecycle knowledge is not created in a single system or at a single moment. It emerges across discussions, iterations,...

23 March, 2026

Bill of Materials (BOM) management is one of the most critical and most underestimated aspects of product development. In my...

23 March, 2026

If you work with CAD systems—SolidWorks, Altium, anything in that CAD family—you already know the reflex. Something doesn’t add up....

To the top