ACOS() Function in Salesforce | Syntax, Examples, and Use Cases : Bijay Kumar
by: Bijay Kumar
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### Summary of the Content The article discusses the use of the ACOS() function in Salesforce, particularly for calculating the inverse cosine of a score that represents the similarity between customer interests and product categories. This score, known as Similarity_Score__c, ranges from -1 to 1 and is essential for tracking marketing campaigns. As a Salesforce Admin, the author created a Formula Field to utilize the ACOS() function for advanced analytics. The ACOS() function is used for trigonometric calculations and returns a positive value in radians or degrees, specifically between 0 and π radians (or 0 to 180 degrees). It only works with numeric data types. The article provides a step-by-step guide on how to implement the ACOS() function in Salesforce, including creating a new formula field, entering the formula, and validating it. An example is given where the function is used to determine a salesperson's commission rate based on the inverse cosine of an angle. ### Key Details - **Function Purpose**: ACOS() calculates the inverse cosine of a numeric value. - **Value Range**: Returns values between 0 and π radians (or 0 to 180 degrees). - **Data Types**: Works only with numeric types (Decimal, Integer, Double). - **Syntax**: ACOS(number/field/formula). - **Example Usage**: Used to calculate commission rates based on the salesperson's angle. - **Implementation Steps**: Includes creating a formula field, entering the formula, and setting field visibility. ### Additional Context Understanding the ACOS() function is crucial for Salesforce users involved in data analytics, especially in marketing and sales. This function allows for more nuanced insights into customer behavior and performance metrics, which can drive better decision-making. ### Hashtags for SEO #Salesforce #ACOSFunction #DataAnalytics #CRM #MarketingCampaigns #SalesforceAdmin #FormulaField #Trigonometry #CustomerInsights #SalesforceTips
We utilise Salesforce CRM to track our marketing campaigns. Each campaign stores a cosine similarity score between customer interests and product categories in a custom number field called Similarity_Score__c. This score is always between -1 and 1.
As a Salesforce Admin, I needed to calculate the angle value of this score for advanced analytics. To do this, I created a Formula Field (Data Type: Number) and used the ACOS() function.
In this article, we will learn about the ACOS() function in Salesforce and explore its usage. In addition, we will also focus on its syntax and usage.
Here, I found the ACOS() function to be a solution that helped me calculate the performance metrics. Now, let us discuss in detail how to use the ACOS() function to calculate the performance value of a number in Salesforce.
What is the ACOS() Function in Salesforce?
In Salesforce, we have multiple formulas and functions used to perform mathematical calculations, and the ACOS() function is one of these. Here, the ACOS() stands for “arc cosine”.
This ACOS() function is used to calculate the inverse cosine of a given angle or value. Primarily, it is used in Salesforce when performing trigonometric calculations or requiring a value in radians.
Additionally, the ACOS() function always returns a positive value in radians or degrees, ranging from 0 to π in radians and 0 to 180 degrees.
Moreover, we should keep in mind that the ACOS() function works only on numeric data types, such as Decimal, Integer, or Double. If you use it with other data types such as text, date, or other non-numeric data types, it will produce an error.
Syntax and Usage of Salesforce ACOS() Function
The Syntax for the ACOS() function is given below:
ACOS(number/field/formula)The number/field/formula parameter is the value for which we wish to determine the inverse cosine. The value specified in the parameter can be a field, a numeric constant, or a formula.
Let’s see an example to clearly understand the concept and syntax of the ACOS() function.
Suppose we want to calculate the inverse cosine value of the numeric field value called “Satellite Dish”. To do this, we use the ACOS() function and calculate it. The formula is as follows:
ACOS(Target_Satellite_Latitude)With this, we have understood the ACOS() function with its syntax, considerations, and examples. Now, we will move and try to understand the steps to calculate the inverse cosine value in Salesforce.
ACOS() Function in Salesforce: Calculate Inverse Cosine Value
Now, let’s understand how to create and use the ACOS() function in Salesforce to calculate the inverse cosine of a given angle or value.
- Go to the Gear Icon. -> Click on the Setup. -> Select the Object Manager tab. Select the Object on which you want to create the Formula Field. Here, I’m going to create an Opportunity Object.
- In the Opportunity setup, click on Fields and Relationships to create a new field, then click the New button.
- In this step, we will use a formula to calculate and display the date after adding days to the given date, and display it on the product object. To do this, select the Formula option from the data type and click Next.
- Next, provide the Field Label and API Name for the formula field. Then, since we want to display the next date after adding days to the given date, in the Formula Return Type, select Date and click on the Next button.
- In the formula editor, enter the formula below and click the Next button.
- In this instance, I want to use the ACOS() function to determine the inverse cosine of the salesperson’s commission rate. The formula is as follows:
IF(ACOS(SalespersonAngle) > 0.5, 0.15, 0.10)- In this formula, we calculate the salesperson’s commission rate using the inverse cosine ACOS() method.
- Then, we check if the angle is greater than 0.5 radians; the commission rate becomes 15% (0.15). Otherwise, the commission rate is set to 10% (0.10).
- Click the “Check Syntax” button to validate the formula and ensure that it contains no errors.
- Optionally, we can “Handle the empty field” as well as we can define the “Description” and “Help text” if we want.
- Click on the “Next” button to move ahead.
- Select the Field Level Security for the formula field, and then select the profiles to make the field visible to those profiles. The field will be visible for the profiles selected from the Visible column.
- In this step, we must select the field’s visibility on the object’s page layouts. In this case, we have created a formula field for the reports, allowing us to choose not to display it on the page layouts.
- Uncheck the checkboxes of the page layouts to prevent the field from displaying on them. After this, click on the Save button.
- We can use the formula field once it has been created. Let’s look at an example:
- Open the Opportunity Tab and create a New Opportunity with the field “SalespersonAngle”.
- After that, click on the Details section, and the Commission Rate field appears, which displays the result of the ACOS() function.
As a result, we now know how to calculate the inverse cosine value in Salesforce.
Conclusion
With this, we have concluded that the Salesforce function ACOS() is an excellent tool for working with numerical data. In addition, we have learned practical examples, such as calculating customer satisfaction, commission rates, and handling inverse cosine, among others.
Moreover, we have also understood the concept of the ACOS() function, including its syntax and procedure for calculating the inverse cosine value in Salesforce.
You may also like to read the following articles:
- ABS() Function in Salesforce
- Date Formula Functions in Salesforce
- Salesforce Formula Field to Calculate Age
- Salesforce Date Formula Business Days
- ASIN() Function in Salesforce
The post ACOS() Function in Salesforce | Syntax, Examples, and Use Cases appeared first on SalesForce FAQs.
October 03, 2025 at 11:45AM
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