# Building expressions

The first step in using the Expression Builder is to build an expression in the Build Expression pane.

Information note

To add operators to your expression, you can use the Operator tab on the left or the Operator buttons located above the Build Expression pane or any combination of these.

To build an expression:

1. Hover the mouse cursor over the element that you want to add to your expression (expressions usually start with an Input Column) and click the arrow that appears to its right.
2. Add Operators additional Input Columns and Functions as required.

Information note

To add operators to your expression, you can use the Operator tab on the left or the Operator buttons located above the Build Expression pane or any combination of these.

Example:

To create an expression that combines the `FirstName` name and `LastName` columns, do the following:

1. Add the `FirstName` Input Column to the Build Expression pane.

2. Assuming that Microsoft SQL Server is the data warehouse, in the Operator toolbar above the Build Expression pane, click the concatenate (`+`) operator.

3. Then add a space between single quote characters and click the concatenate (`+`) operator again.

4. Add the `LastName` Input Column to the Build Expression pane.

   The expression would look like this:

![Build Expression pane with example expression: ${Firstname}+' '+${LastName}](https://help.qlik.com/en-US/compose/December2024/Content/Resources/Images/ComposeForDataWarehouses/expression_example.png)