When you configure a trigger value or an action field, Copper can use either a Standard value or a formula. Standard values stay the same every time. Formulas produce dynamic values based on functions, text or numbers you enter, and fields on the record that started the workflow.

Value type	What it does	Example
Standard	Enters the same value every time.	Task Due Date is a specific date always.
Use a Formula	Produces a dynamic value.	Task Due Date is based on another variable.

Record context: A formula variable references a field on the record used in the workflow trigger. It does not reference a separate record created by the action.

Workflow action showing a Standard value for Task Name and Use a Formula for Due Date.

Choose Use a Formula when the field value should be calculated or copied from the triggering record.

How a formula works

A formula can contain functions, literals, and variables.

Component	Purpose	Examples
Function	Tells Copper what to do.	CONCAT(name," - Onboarding")
Literal	A value entered directly in the formula.	10
Variable	Represents a Copper field on the triggering record.	monetary_value (value field)

Add a formula

Open or create a Workflow Automation rule.
In the Trigger or Action section, add the field you want to evaluate, populate, or update.
Select Use a Formula.
Enter the formula.
Save and activate the workflow.
Test it with a sample record.

Task action with CURRENTDATE() in the Due Date field and primary_contact_full_name in the Description field.

This action creates a Task due on the workflow date and inserts the Opportunity primary contact name in the description.

Formula syntax rules

Put literal text inside straight double quotation marks: "Example text".
Do not use curly quotation marks: “Example text”. Curly quotes can cause a parsing error.
Separate function values with commas.
Do not put quotation marks around functions or variables.
Include opening and closing parentheses for every function.
Prefix a custom field key with cf_.
Use a readable-text variable when inserting a name into a text field.

Example: add text to an Opportunity name.

CONCAT(name," - Onboarding")

If the Opportunity name is Google Opportunity, the formula returns Google Opportunity - Onboarding.

Copy-ready formula examples

Goal	Formula	Notes
Use the current date	CURRENTDATE()	Useful for a Task due date.
Add 10 days to the current date	DATEADD(CURRENTDATE(),10)	Returns a date 10 days later.
Add text to an Opportunity name	CONCAT(name," - Onboarding")	Use with an Opportunity trigger.
Include the primary contact name	CONCAT("Follow up with ",primary_contact_full_name)	Use with an Opportunity trigger.
Calculate 5% of Opportunity Value	monetary_value * 0.05	Useful for commission fields.
Round a calculation	ROUND(monetary_value * 0.05)	Returns a whole number.
Use zero when Value is blank	IF(ISBLANK(monetary_value),0,monetary_value)	Provides a fallback for a blank field.
Convert a name to uppercase	UPPER(name)	Returns uppercase text.
Get a custom dropdown value	GETVALUE(cf_sales_region)	Returns the selected option.
Combine a dropdown value and text	CONCAT(GETVALUE(cf_sales_region)," - MM")	Uses straight double quotes.

Reference a custom field

Custom field variables use this pattern:

cf_<field_key>

For example, a custom field with the Workflow Automation Key "sales_region" is referenced as:

cf_sales_region

For a dropdown field, use GETVALUE() when you need the displayed option:

GETVALUE(cf_sales_region)

When you create or edit a custom field, enter a Workflow Automation Formula Key if the field will be used in Workflow Automation. WFA Keys are permanent once entered, so choose a clear, reusable key.

Use the Workflow Automation Key to reference a custom field in a formula.

Choose an ID or readable-text variable

Some relationship fields have both an ID variable and a readable-text variable. Use the ID when the destination is another relationship field. Use the readable-text version when the destination is a text field.

What you need	Variable
Assign the record to the same owner	assignee_id
Insert the owner name into text	assignee_full_name
Link to the same Company	company_id
Insert the Company name into text	company_name
Link to the same Pipeline	pipeline_id
Insert the Pipeline name into text	pipeline_name
Link to the same Primary Contact	primary_contact_id
Insert the Primary Contact name into text	primary_contact_full_name

Work with blank and null values

Provide a fallback for a blank value

Use IF() with ISBLANK() to return a default value when a field is empty:

IF(ISBLANK(monetary_value),0,monetary_value)

This returns 0 when Opportunity Value is blank and returns the current Opportunity Value when it is populated.

Check for or set a null value

Use NULL in all capital letters when checking whether a supported field is empty or when clearing a supported field.

Two Workflow Automation examples using NULL: one trigger checks whether Owner is empty and one action clears Product 1 Value.

Use NULL in a trigger condition to check for an empty field or in an action to clear a supported field.

Troubleshooting formulas

Issue	What to check
Parsing error	Replace curly quotes with straight double quotes. Check commas and opening and closing parentheses.
A number appears instead of a name	Replace an _id variable with the corresponding _name or _full_name variable.
The formula returns no value	Confirm that the variable is available for the trigger record type, the source field contains data, and the custom field key is correct.
A dropdown formula returns an ID	Wrap the custom dropdown variable in GETVALUE().
The formula uses the wrong record	Variables always reference the record used in the trigger, not a record created by the action.

How to use Formulas in Workflow Automation