Expression Editor

Expression editor is a visual interface for building expressions using operators, variables, functions, and properties. Expressions can be used to map fields, create conditions, generate file names, and more. This chapter tells you how to use Expression Editor and explains its role in Skyvia.

Getting Familiar With the UI

By the end of this paragraph you will get familiar with the UI elements of the Expression Editor and learn how to use them.

Expression Area

Expression Area is taking the major part of Expression Editor's UI. Use it to create and edit your expressions. You can use the sidebar or the operators menu to add elements to the Expression Area.

Operators Menu

You can find Operators Menu at the bottom. It provides the list of operators that you can use to create expressions. Click on the operator to add it to the Expression Area.

Sidebar

You can find sidebar on the right. It gives you a quick access to the properties, variables, and functions. Combine them with the operators to create complex expressions. Click on the prefered item on the sidebar to add it to the expression area. The arrow next to the item means that there are nested items in it. To quickly find a needed item use search .

Preview

Preview pane allows you to check the expression results by manually setting values to properties and variables.

Validation

Use Validate button to check if your expression is valid. If it is not, you can check the reason by clicking Details. Moreover, Expression Editor automatically underlines the invalid elements of the expression in the Expression Area.

Expression Editor provides code completion. To use code completion, start typing your expression and Skyvia will offer you the autocomplete options.

Expression Syntax

The syntax used to create expressions is described in details in the Expression Syntax chapter of the documentation. Read it to learn about identifiers, data types, literals, opertators, and functions.

Generating Expressions with AI

Skyvia allows you to generate expressions with AI. Describe what you want the expression to do and what source fields to use, and Skyvia will generate the expression for you.

Mapping Fields to Expressions

You can map fields to expressions on the Mapping Definition page by choosing Expression from the dropdown. As an example, you can map FullName field to the following expression: FirstName + ' ' + LastName

Setting Conditions

In Data Flow, Control Flow, and Automation, components use conditions to navigate the execution logic. Conditions are expressions that are being evaluated to a boolean value. Example of such expression would be City == 'London'.

Generating Files Names

While loading data to JSON or CSV targets, you can choose to generate a name of the file based on a condition instead of typing it in manually. For example you can use the following expression to add a timestamp to the file name: 'CompanyReport ' + ' ' + string(get_date())

AI Assistant

AI Assistant can help you create a new expression, modify the expression currently displayed in the Expression Editor, or fix an expression that contains an error.

To open AI Assistant, click Ask AI below the Expression Area.

AI-generated expressions may contain errors. Review the result before using it in an integration.

AI Assistant Modes

When the Expression Editor contains an expression, AI Assistant provides the following modes:

• Create new expression — Opens an empty chat where you can describe the expression you want to create.
• Modify current expression — Sends the current expression to AI Assistant. Describe how you want to change it when prompted.
• Fix expression error — Sends the current expression and, when available, information about the detected error. AI Assistant either suggests a corrected expression or asks for additional details.

The Fix expression error mode is available only when the Expression Editor has detected an error.

When the Expression Editor is empty, AI Assistant opens directly in the Create new expression mode without displaying the mode selection screen.

Working with AI Assistant

Enter your request in the chat and provide any relevant details, such as:

• The expected result
• The columns or values the expression should use
• Conditions that the expression should handle
• Examples of input and expected output
• Changes you want to make to the current expression

You can continue the conversation to clarify your request or refine the generated expression.

Using Generated Expressions

Expressions returned by AI Assistant appear in syntax-highlighted code blocks.

Each code block provides the following actions:

• Copy — Copies the expression to the clipboard.
• Apply — Replaces the expression currently displayed in the Expression Editor with the generated expression.

Clearing and Restarting the Chat

Select Clear chat to delete the current conversation and reset its context.

After the chat is cleared:

• If the Expression Editor is empty, AI Assistant opens in the Create new expression mode.
• If the Expression Editor contains an expression, AI Assistant returns to the mode selection screen.

Closing and reopening the AI Assistant panel also resets the conversation and produces the same behavior.

After being idle for an hour the chat session expires and should be restarted. Do not forget to copy any chat history that you find useful.

Undoing and Redoing Changes

Use Undo and Redo in the Expression Editor to move backward or forward through recent changes to the expression.