Compare Columns in Straight Table - Use Column names in expression where Columns are NOT fields

[wttaryde]

I have several straight tables that look like the picture.  Each cell in table has a similar but different expression - columns are NOT fields. 

I need to color the background based upon comparing columns. Example Row 2:  if value in column 'FE 10' <= value in column 'Q1' shade cell blue

I can write that expression.  However, my table is built using a Value List.  So the expression for each cell is very long. To use that expression plus what's needed for the evaluation of color, the expression becomes nearly unmanageable.

What i need is a short cut.  That uses columns names and/or my value list.  Is there a way to reference column names in an expression.  Columns are NOT fields. 

[Martijn_W]

Have you tried using variables? Place the expression you use for a column in a variable, then use is for both the background color expression and the expression for the column in question.

That should do the trick.

[wttaryde]

Thanks.  It's possible.  We'd have to wrap the variable in a bunch of code to get each column to be the distinct value we need, but variables would shorten the expression so it was manageable. I'll give it a try. 

[wttaryde]

Just to add. We've had trouble using our expressions as variables for some reason, but they are working now and this solution is much better than the alternative.