--- title: "Expression Builder" slug: "expression-builder" description: "The Expression Builder is used to filter list results and report results.It is also used to create escalation rules.To create a filter, choose the field, expression, and desired value for the field." updated: 2026-07-05T06:48:33Z published: 2026-07-05T06:48:33Z canonical: "documentation.sysaid.com/expression-builder" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://documentation.sysaid.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Expression Builder The **Expression Builder***, referred to in some places as the **Query Builder**, appears throughout SysAid in many different places. On the various list pages, you can open it using the filter icon ![SharedimagesFiltericonFiltericon.jpg](https://cdn.document360.io/52d3cb6c-cc81-43c2-b6f7-cbabcb449271/Images/Documentation/SharedimagesFiltericonFiltericon.jpg?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-17T03%3A16%3A37Z&se=2026-10-17T04%3A16%3A37Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=8EnaNkkRT3gVKItYya8oZqQQxwwYRtCLXXMz6K3lEII%3D). In other places, such as reports, it's accessible using the Expression Builder icon ![SharedimagesExpressionbuildericonExpressionbuildericon1.jpg](https://cdn.document360.io/52d3cb6c-cc81-43c2-b6f7-cbabcb449271/Images/Documentation/SharedimagesExpressionbuildericonExpressionbuildericon.jpg?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-17T03%3A16%3A37Z&se=2026-10-17T04%3A16%3A37Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=8EnaNkkRT3gVKItYya8oZqQQxwwYRtCLXXMz6K3lEII%3D). The purpose of the **Expression Builder** is to filter results, such as list results and report results. *When creating an escalation rule, the Expression Builder is referred to as the Action Builder and has a different function. Please see [escalation rules](/v1/docs/escalation-rules) for further details. SysAid Expression Builder ![ExpressionBuilderfilesExpressionbuilderExpressionbuilder.jpg](https://cdn.document360.io/52d3cb6c-cc81-43c2-b6f7-cbabcb449271/Images/Documentation/ExpressionBuilderfilesExpressionbuilderExpressionbuilder.jpg?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-17T03%3A16%3A37Z&se=2026-10-17T04%3A16%3A37Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=8EnaNkkRT3gVKItYya8oZqQQxwwYRtCLXXMz6K3lEII%3D) #### Components of the Expression Builder A filter is composed of four parts: - **Statement**: Can be "and" or "or." - **The field to filter**: The fields that show up here will vary depending on what page you're on when you access the **Expression Builder**. - **The expression**: This is determined by the **field to filter**. A simple example could be "Location is not..." Certain fields have additional options for the expression, such as the **Due Date** field, which includes expressions such as "Next seven days" and "Previous seven days." - **The desired value for the field**: The field type will determine your options here. Lists will allow you to choose an entry from the drop-down list, date fields include the calendar icon ![SharedimagesCalendariconExpressionBuilderCalendariconExpressionBuilder.gif](https://cdn.document360.io/52d3cb6c-cc81-43c2-b6f7-cbabcb449271/Images/Documentation/SharedimagesCalendariconExpressionBuilderCalendariconExpressionBuilder.gif?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-17T03%3A16%3A37Z&se=2026-10-17T04%3A16%3A37Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=8EnaNkkRT3gVKItYya8oZqQQxwwYRtCLXXMz6K3lEII%3D), and integer and text fields are free-form entry. #### Creating a filter To create a filter using the **Expression Builder** : 1. Decide how many filter lines you will need. If you only need one line, leave the first drop-down on "Statement" and go to step 5. 2. To add another filter line, first choose a statement, either "and" or "or." This will automatically add another line connected by the chosen statement. 3. If you need to add more lines connected by the same statement (i.e., this *and* that *and* the other thing), click **Add new line**. If you would like to delete a line, click **Delete line**. 4. For each filter line, choose the field, expression, and desired value for the field (e.g., Location + is + HQ Building). 5. When you have set up all of the filter lines you need, click **Create Filter** to apply your filter. This will automatically close the window. 6. In the event that you have set up a filter and you would like to erase it, click **Reset Filter**. > [!CAUTION] > Important! > > If you create a **custom field with the same name as a default field** (such as Title or Description), the query builder in emails or escalation rules will **prioritizes the custom field**. This means the default field cannot be selected or updated correctly in the query. #### Relational Fields When you set up a filter for [Relational List fields](https://documentation.sysaid.com/classic/docs/createedit-custom-entity-column#setup-a-relational-field), the values you enter in the filter depend on the entity that the field represents. - For fields that represent **Assets**, **Groups**, or **Companies**, enter the **caption name** of the entity you want to filter for. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/52d3cb6c-cc81-43c2-b6f7-cbabcb449271/Images/Documentation/GroupNameColumn.jpg?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-17T03%3A16%3A37Z&se=2026-10-17T04%3A16%3A37Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=8EnaNkkRT3gVKItYya8oZqQQxwwYRtCLXXMz6K3lEII%3D) - For fields that represent **Users**, enter the value of the **Username** field of the user(s) you want to filter for. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/52d3cb6c-cc81-43c2-b6f7-cbabcb449271/Images/Documentation/UsernameField.jpg?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-17T03%3A16%3A37Z&se=2026-10-17T04%3A16%3A37Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=8EnaNkkRT3gVKItYya8oZqQQxwwYRtCLXXMz6K3lEII%3D) - For fields that represent **CIs** or **Software Products**, enter the **ID number** for the CI(s) or Software Products that you want to filter for. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/52d3cb6c-cc81-43c2-b6f7-cbabcb449271/Images/Documentation/SPID.jpg?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-17T03%3A16%3A37Z&se=2026-10-17T04%3A16%3A37Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=8EnaNkkRT3gVKItYya8oZqQQxwwYRtCLXXMz6K3lEII%3D) ![](https://cdn.document360.io/52d3cb6c-cc81-43c2-b6f7-cbabcb449271/Images/Documentation/Filter.jpg?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-17T03%3A16%3A37Z&se=2026-10-17T04%3A16%3A37Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=8EnaNkkRT3gVKItYya8oZqQQxwwYRtCLXXMz6K3lEII%3D)