---
sourceDocument: Australia Strategic Portfolio Management
sourceDocumentLink: https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/r/it-business-management

 Release :

    - australia

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Australia Strategic Portfolio Management

ft:clusterId :

    - itbm

bundleId :

    - itbm

workflow :

    - Technology


---

# Generate a formula

# Generate a formula using ServiceNow Otto {#ariaid-title1}

Release version: Australia  
Updated March 12, 2026  
![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read  
Use ServiceNow Otto to automatically generate formulas to compute values such as summing hours, calculating date differences, or deriving metrics from existing fields.

## Before you begin

Role required: sn_cwm_ai.cwm_ai_user

## About this task

Formula columns in the List view of a CWM Board compute values from existing CWM columns. Examples include calculating date differences from existing Date columns or deriving metrics such as Profit from existing values of
Revenue and Cost columns.

Instead of building the formula syntax manually, you can describe your calculation in plain language. ServiceNow Otto then generates a valid formula that you can insert directly into the column with a single click.

The steps in this procedure use the example of a formula column that calculates the number of days remaining until a task's due date. Follow the steps as guidelines to build a formula of your choice.

## Procedure

1. Navigate to WorkspacesCollaborative Work Management.
2. From a Space, open the Board where you want to add a formula column.
3. In the List view of the Board, select Add column from the column header and select Formula.  
4. Provide a name for your formula column.  
   In this example, the column is named Days until due.
5. In the Define Formula side panel, describe your formula in natural language in the ServiceNow Otto input field and submit.  
   ServiceNow Otto generates a formula syntax based on your instruction.
6. Review the generated formula and select Insert to add it to the Formula field.
7. Select Set Formula to save and apply to the formula column.

## Result

The Board refreshes to display the new formula column, and its values populated per the formula you defined.
**Related tasks**   

* [Add a formula column in CWM Boards](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/06kVdt0snnNRejEKgS~OVQ "Gain deeper insights into your work by adding formula columns to your List view in CWM Boards. Create calculations that automatically compute values for your tasks, such as summing hours, calculating date differences, or deriving metrics from existing fields.")
* [Add custom columns for tasks in a CWM Board](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/rHRVDn2DU0G8dyKEGGjVxg "Create custom fields in a Board so that you can organize all details of tasks at a single location. This improves task management and saves time by reducing dependency on system admin.")

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