Troubleshooting Expressions

Senta by IRIS allows you to use a range of expressions to perform various actions with data. However they can be tricky to troubleshoot, so if you're struggling to get them working, try checking the items in the list below to see if you can identify the issue.

Where is the expression?

Expressions may work slightly differently depending on where they're used.

For example, in calculated form fields, expression filters and date offsets, you don't need to use curly braces because Senta can recognise if an expression is used there. On the other hand, curly braces are needed in email and document templates to tell Senta that an expression is being used.

Are you using the correct expression?

Sometimes there are expressions that do similar things, but are not exactly the same. This may be the reason you are seeing an unexpected result or outcome. A good place to start is our Expressions guide, which lists different kinds of expressions and examples for how to use them.

For example, are you using a date-related expression, and if so, what do you want it to do? You can look through the various date expressions in the guide to ensure you're using the correct one. If you know what the correct result for the expression you're trying to use is, you can use the expression tester to test expressions and check you're using the right one.

Are you using the correct syntax and grammar?

For example, if an expression is used in an email/SMS/letter template, it will always be enclosed in curly braces { }.

You must also use plain quotation marks where needed in the syntax - not open and close quotation marks:

If writing a letter template, your document editor may automatically add in the open and close quotation marks. You can either manually enter the symbol in your document editor or copy and paste a quotation mark from the Senta expression tester.

Are there extra or missing spaces in your expression?

Have you included things like = (equals sign) and , (comma) in the correct places?

Correct: {IF (client.clienttype = "Individual")}

Incorrect: {IF (client.clienttype "Individual")}

Is the expression properly opened and closed in the correct places?

Expressions make use of something called statements, and these can be nested within one another. Sometimes it is easy to forget to close a statement.

For example, there are three statements below nested within each other. The statement will only work if the statements are opened and closed in the correct places as shown below:

NOT(client.tradingname) = Returns true if there is no value in the Trading name field

AND(client.clienttype = "Sole trader", NOT(client.tradingname)) = Wraps around the NOT statement. Returns true if the Type is Sole trader and the NOT statement returns true

{IF(AND(client.clienttype = "Sole trader", NOT(client.tradingname)), "Please provide your trading name if necessary.")} = Wraps around the AND statement. Outputs "Please provide your trading name if necessary" if the AND statement returns true.

Are you using the correct placeholder?

An example correct placeholder is {client.clientstate}. If you are using placeholders in your expression... 

Are they formatted correctly? 

{client...state} contains too many full stops

[client.state] uses the wrong type of brackets

Does the field reference exist in your Senta workspace? Is the field reference the right one, and is it spelled correctly? 

{client.clientstae} has a typo in the field reference

Is the prefix correct?

{cleint.state} has a typo in the prefix

{vat.state} includes a non-existent prefix

Is there data for the field reference at the source?

For example, if using {client.clienttype} does the client have data in that field? If no data has been entered for that client, the placeholder will not work.