---
url: /technical/addition-operator.md
description: >-
  The [+] operator allows multiple hierarchy elements to be grouped together
  into a temporary parent.
---

# `[+]`

The `[+]` operator allows multiple hierarchy elements to be grouped together into a temporary parent.

This temporary parent exists only within the context of the current calculation or view and does not create a permanent hierarchy item.

## Example Hierarchy

```text
Net Profit
    Expenses
        Salary Expenses
        Other Expenses
    Gross Profit
        Revenue
        COGS
```

Using the hierarchy above, the following expression:

```text
COGS[+]Expenses
```

creates a temporary parent combining:

* `COGS`
* `Expenses`

Given `Expenses` is a parent, the temporary parent of `COGS[+]Expenses` will contain the following elements:

* `COGS`
* `Salary Expenses`
* `Other Expenses`

This behaves similarly to a parent aggregation, but without adding a permanent hierarchy node such as `Gross Profit`.

## Common Use Cases

* Creating custom totals in Workviews
* Combining unrelated hierarchy branches
* Building temporary KPI calculations
* Creating ad hoc reporting structures