# Expression syntax (simple)

> Learn the basic building blocks of an expression: values, references, and operators.

Source: https://bluepic.io/help/expressions-and-logic/expression-syntax  
Language: en  
Category: expressions-and-logic  
Last updated: 2026-06-16

An expression is built from a few simple pieces. Once you know them, you can read and write most expressions by hand.

**Values** are the raw data:

- Numbers: `20`, `3.5`
- Text, wrapped in backticks: `` `Hello` ``
- True or false: `true`, `false`

**References** pull in values from elsewhere in your template:

- An input field's value, by its [variable name](https://bluepic.io/help/expressions-and-logic/variables): `headline`
- Another element's [measurement](https://bluepic.io/help/expressions-and-logic/element-metadata-subproperties), written as `element.property`: `text1.bottom`

**Operators** combine values:

- Maths: `+`, `-`, `*`, `/`
- Comparisons, which result in true or false: `==`, `!=`, `>`, `<`, `>=`, `<=`

So `text1.bottom + 20` means "20 below the bottom of text1", and `price * 1.19` adds 19% tax to a number.

![](https://imagedelivery.net/mudX-CmAqIANL8bxoNCToA/b947ecca-e2aa-44c7-d06e-cb5ab8e5c100/max)

**[Functions](https://bluepic.io/help/expressions-and-logic/functions)** do more involved work. They are written in capitals with their inputs in brackets, and you can nest them: `ROUND(price)`, `ADD(text1.width, 40)`.

To drop a value into running text, use `${ }` inside backticks: `` `Total: ${price} EUR` `` produces "Total: 20 EUR".