---
title: "Formula View Mode"
slug: "formula-view-mode"
description: "Learn how the Formula Designer View Mode can be utilized by users to prevent lock conflicts, improve collaboration, enable faster reviews/approvals, and ensure safe, read-only access."
updated: 2026-07-01T20:26:27Z
published: 2026-07-01T20:26:27Z
canonical: "documentation.decisions.com/formula-view-mode"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://documentation.decisions.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Formula View Mode

## Overview

Formula Designer View Mode was introduced in v9.16 and allows Users to open and review a Formula without making changes or breaking active User session locks. When one User is editing a Formula, other Users can still open the same Formula in View Mode to review its configuration in real time without interrupting the editing session.

#### Key Benefits

- **Prevents Lock Conflicts**: Eliminates accidental lock overrides when multiple Users need to access the same Formula.
- **Safe, Read-Only Access**: Users can view all the Formula details without the risk of making unintended changes.
- **Improved Collaboration**: Stakeholders, reviewers, and non-technical team members can simultaneously explore the logic and configuration of the formula.
- **Faster Reviews & Approvals**: Reduces bottlenecks by allowing concurrent viewing while editing is in progress.

## Accessing View Mode

Users can access Formula View Mode in two ways:

1. **User Action on Formula**: Right-click on any of the Formula > **Open in View Mode**.![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/image-1782937539883.png)
2. **Lock Entity Dialog**: A Formula can be opened in View Mode when it is locked by an active User session (i.e., another User currently has it open for editing). When a User opens a Formula Designer, a locked Formula icon appears to indicate its status. Clicking on a locked Formula will display a prompt with a newly added option to Open the Formula in View Mode.![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/image-1782937563453.png)
3. Once opened in View Mode, Users will see the Formula Designer in View Mode with a label indicator at the top right stating that the Formula is opened in View Mode.![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/image-1782937583022.png)

## Capabilities and Restrictions in View Mode

#### Users cannot perform the following actions in View Mode:

- Edit Formula
- Edit Name and Inputs
- Add/Modify Unit Tests and Sample Data
- Configure Integration
- Save Formula

#### Even though View Mode is read-only, Users can still:

- Run the Formula with User-defined Inputs
- Run Unit Tests and Sample Data
- View configured Integration