Combination Tables allow you to define a matrix of possible configuration data combinations to determine return values based on matching values. Used in Conditions, Actions, Configuration Formulas and other Combination Tables. You can use configuration characteristic values and quantities, as well as formulas and other combination tables, as values for comparison in the combination table.
For each table, users first define from 1 to 15 combination factors involved in the table: for example HEIGHT and LENGTH. Factors can be of the following value types used in back office rules: Characteristic Values, Characteristic Quantities, Formulas or other Combination Tables. The same factor can appear more than once in the combination table, if desired (this allows a BETWEEN capability, i.e. LENGTH > 10 and LENGTH < 20). Users can only choose from among characteristics and formulas within the combination table’s family. Users can optionally specify a Test Value for each combination factor to be used when testing the table.
After factors are described, users can enter the data for the combination table. At least one factor must be defined in order to create a combination value. By placing factors into a sequence, the headings for the combination table values are created for data entry on the following tab. An example of a simple combination table is shown below.
| Factor Type | Factor Value | Test Value |
| Characteristic Value | COLOR | RED |
| Characteristic Value | HEIGHT | 10 |
Once the above factors are defined, combination values can now be entered as shown below. Here sample values are defined for various combinations of COLOR and HEIGHT. When combination tables are evaluated, the first row where the combination values meet the evaluation conditions is considered a match, thus the Return Value specified is returned. For example, if the configuration evaluated had a COLOR = RED and a HEIGHT = 10, in the example below the value 500 would be returned for use in the back office configuration rules. If there is no match in the combination table, the optional Default Return Value is returned.
| Sequence | COLOR Operator | COLOR | HEIGHT Operator | HEIGHT | Return Value |
| 1 | = | RED | = | 10 | 500 |
| 2 | = | RED | = | 20 | 600 |
| 3 | = | BLUE | = | 10 | 700 |
| 4 | = | BLUE | = | 20 | 800 |
| ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |
The system offers a number of different comparison operators as part of the syntax. Combination tables have a basic testing mechanism and a state to indicate whether they are ready for use in configuration rules (see Back Office Configuration Rules).