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Administrator Guide
Last Updated: 2025-12-12
Concept: Step-Based Calculation

Concept: Step-Based Calculation

Step-based calculations return a single numeric value. You can use them in scenarios involving complex logic such as nested calculation flows.

Operations

Within each step, you can specify any number of operations that Workday executes sequentially. For each operation, you can also specify how you want to provide the value. Example: Using a calculation or numeric value.
Operation
Description
Add
Adds the value that you specify to the prior value.
Divide
Divides the prior value by the value that you specify.
Exit
Exits the calculation with either:
  • A numeric value.
  • The most recent prior value.
  • The result of a specified calculation.
  • The result of a date difference operation.
  • The result of a date extract operation.
Max
Returns the maximum of all specified values. When you select
Calculation
 from the
Type
 prompt, you can configure Workday to ignore the prior value in the comparison. To do so, select the
Exclude Prior Value
 check box.
Min
Returns the minimum of all specified values. When you select
Calculation
 from the
Type
 prompt, you can configure Workday to ignore the prior value in the comparison. To do so, select the
Exclude Prior Value
 check box.
Multiply
Multiplies the prior value by the value that you specify.
Power
Applies a power operator to the
Value
in the preceding row.
Round
Enables you to specify a rounding option.
Set
Initializes a starting value, typically at the beginning of the calculation. When you don't set an initial value, Workday starts the calculation with the value zero. You can use the set operation to reinitialize the previous prior value.
Subtract
Subtracts the value that you specify from the prior value.
Example: Set
Set the initial value to 100.
Operation
Type
Value
Set
Numeric
100
Example: Multiply
Multiply the prior value by the value of a monthly transportation subscription, which you store in an advanced lookup table.
Operation
Type
Value - Lookup Table
Value - Column
Value - Period Date Indicator
Multiply
Lookup Table
Transportation subscription allowance
Monthly
Based on Payment Date
Example: Power
Add a power operator to the preceding value for Set of 2.
Operation
Type
Value
Set
Numeric
2
Power
Numeric
0.5
The calculation returns 1.4142.
Example: Min
Return the minimum between the prior value, the worker's age, and 15 years.
Operation
Type
Value
Min
Calculation
15
Worker age
Example: Exit
Exit the calculation with a result of the prior value.
Operation
Type
Exit
Prior Value
Example: Add
Add the age of the worker as of the end of the period.
Operation
Type
Value – Start Date Type
Value – Start Date Calculation
Value – End Date Type
Value – End Date Calculation
Value Returned
Add
Date Difference
Calculation
Worker: Hire Date
Calculation
Period: Period End Date
Year

Conditions

You can specify a condition to control if Workday should resolve a step or not.
You can copy step-based conditions by selecting Condition > Copy from the related actions menu of the condition.
Example: Prior Value <= 1500
You want the step to resolve only when the prior value inherited from the previous step is less than or equal to 1500.
Operand 1
Operator
Operand 2
Prior Value
is less than or equal to
Calculation
> 1,500
Example: Worker Hire Date >= Period Start Date
You want the step to resolve only when the worker's hire date is greater than or equal to the period start date.
Operand 1
Operator
Operand 2
Calculation
 >
Worker Hire Date
greater than or equal to
Calculation
 >
Period: Period Start Date
Worker Years of Service > 20 (at end of period) AND Worker Hire Date Month = Month of Period
You want the step to resolve only when both the worker's:
  • Start date is greater than 20 years by the period end date.
  • Hire date month is the same month of the period end date.
Logical Operator
=
AND
Operand 1
Operator
Operand 2
Type:
Date Difference
Start Date Type:
Calculation
Start Date Calculation:
Worker: Hire Date
End Date Type:
Calculation
End Date Calculation:
Period: Period End Date
Value Returned:
Year
greater than
Type:
Numeric
Value:
20
Type:
Date Extract
Date Calculation:
Worker: Hire Date
Value Returned:
Month
equal to
Type:
Date Extract
Date Calculation:
Period: Period End Date
Value Returned:
Month
Condition Groups
You can specify the order of conditions when there are multiple rows of conditions.
Example: Extra Hours Based on PTO Balance
You want to give workers with the least amount of personal time off (PTO) balance some extra hours. Workers with larger PTO balances get fewer extra hours. You set up this step-based calculation:
Step
Condition Group
Condition
Operation
Type
Value
1
Set
Calculation
Current PTO balance (hours)
Add
Calculation
PTO (Position Based) Plan
Round
Rounding Definition
Round down to nearest 1
2.1
Prior Value Condition Group
Prior Value < = 100
Add
Numeric
25
2.2
Prior Value Condition Group
Prior Value < = 200
Add
Numeric
15
2.3
Prior Value Condition Group
Prior Value < = 300
Add
Numeric
10
2.4
Prior Value Condition Group
Prior Value > 300
Add
Numeric
5
Workday evaluates the steps based on the step order. A worker who has less than 100 receives 25 extra hours. A worker who has more than 300 receives 5 extra hours.