Instead of adding absolute values into input fields, you can add expressions. These allow you create new values based on percentages, mathematical symbols, and another field's value.
When adding an expression into a field, the following colours may appear, providing feedback on the validity of the expression:
Use throughout the user interface but typically:
*Individual objects in multiple selections will be sized based on their own values, not those of other objects.
| Input | Result |
|---|---|
| +=20 | Increase value by 20. |
| -=20 | Decrease value by 20. |
| *2 | Double size. |
| /2 | Divide in half. |
| 50%, *0.5 | Decrease by half. |
| 120%, *1.2 | 20% bigger. |
Use when resizing a document or transforming an object via the Transform panel.
| Input | Result |
|---|---|
| w+20 | Scales based on addition of other input value. Example entered into Height box to set height as width plus 20 pixels. |
| w-20 | Scales based on subtraction of other input value. Example entered into Height box to set height as width minus 20 pixels. |
| 2*w | Scaling based on a multiple of other input value. Example is entered into Height box to set height to double the width. |
| w/2 | Scaling based on a division of other input value. Example entered into Height box to set height to half the width. |
| w/3*2 | Scaling based on a division of other input values. Example entered into Height box to divide the width of an object by 3 multiplied by 2. Good for resetting accidentally squashed images (from 35mm camera) or picture frames to 3:2 aspect ratio. |
| w/4*3 | Scaling based on a division of other input values. Example entered into Height box to divide the width of an object by 4 multiplied by 3. Good for resetting accidentally squashed images (from micro four-thirds/compact camera) or picture frames to 4:3 aspect ratio. |
| sqrt(w) | Scales based on the square root of other input value. Example entered into Height box to set height as the square root of the width. |
| w^3 | Scales based on a power of other input value. Example entered into Height box to set height as the width to the power of three. |
| 12pt / x | Sets the text's x-height to 12pt. |
For general use throughout the user interface.
| Input | Constant |
|---|---|
| pi, π | For Pi |
| phi, gr, φ | For golden ratio |
| root2, rad, rt | For Pythagoras’s constant |
| e | Euler’s constant |
Use when moving, scaling, rotating or shearing objects via the Transform panel.
| Input | Variable |
|---|---|
| xposition, x | X position |
| yposition, y | Y position |
| width, w | Width |
| height, h | Height |
| rotation, r | Rotation |
| shear, s | Shear |
Use when setting dimensions using the New Document or Document Setup dialogs.
| Input | Variable |
|---|---|
| spreadwidth, w | Document width |
| spreadheight, h | Document height |
| marginleft, l | Left document margin |
| marginright, r | Right document margin |
| margintop, t | Top document margin |
| margin, b | Bottom document margin |
Use when setting the size of text.
| Input | Variable |
|---|---|
| xheight, x | X-height |
| ascent, a | Ascent |
| capheight, c | Cap height |
Use when sizing and positioning content using the Transform panel in relation to the document (i.e. page spread).
| spreadwidth, sprw, sw | The width of the current spread |
| spreadheight, sprh, sh | The height of the current spread |
| spreadleft, sprl, sl | The position of the left edge of the current spread |
| spreadright, sprr, sr | The position of the right edge of the current spread |
| spreadtop, sprt, st | The position of the top edge of the current spread |
| spreadbottom, sprb, sb | The position of the bottom edge of the current spread |
| marginsizeleft, mgnszl, msl | The size of the left margin on the current spread |
| marginsizeright, mgnszr, msr | The size of the right margin on the current spread |
| marginsizetop, mgnszt, mst | The size of the top margin on the current spread |
| marginsizebottom, mgnszb, msb | The size of the bottom margin on the current spread |
| marginleft, mgnl, ml | The position of the left margin on the current spread |
| marginright, mgnr, mr | The position of the right margin on the current spread |
| margintop, mgnt, mt | The position of the top margin on the current spread |
| marginbottom, mgnb, mb | The position of the bottom margin on the current spread |
| designareawidth, areawidth, aw | The space between the left and right margins on the current spread |
| designareaheight, areaheight, ah | The space between the top and bottom margins on the current spread |
For general use throughout the user interface.
| Input | Variable |
|---|---|
| abs(x) | Absolute value |
| idiv(x,y) | Results in the integer (whole number) of x divided by y (no rounding is applied) |
| irem(x,y) | Results in the remainder of x divided by y |
| sin(a) | Sine |
| cos(a) | Cosine |
| tan(a) | Tangent |
| min(a, b, ...) | Smaller of values |
| max(a, b, ...) | Larger of values |
| mid(a, b) | Average of a and b |
| average(a, b, ...) | Average of arguments |
| lerp(a, b, f) | Linear interpolation (a + (b - a) f) |
| clamp(a, lo, hi) | a if it is between lo and hi, otherwise lo or hi |