---
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: 2025-09-10T09:18:59Z
published: 2025-09-10T09:18:59Z
---

> ## 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). 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). 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)

#### 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), 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/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)
- 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)
- 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)

![](https://cdn.document360.io/52d3cb6c-cc81-43c2-b6f7-cbabcb449271/Images/Documentation/Filter.jpg)