---
title: Use lists in expressions · Cloudflare Web Application Firewall (WAF) docs
description: Learn how to use lists in rule expressions.
lastUpdated: 2025-08-27T15:11:16.000Z
chatbotDeprioritize: false
source_url:
  html: https://developers.cloudflare.com/waf/tools/lists/use-in-expressions/
  md: https://developers.cloudflare.com/waf/tools/lists/use-in-expressions/index.md
---

In the Cloudflare dashboard, there are two options for editing [expressions](https://developers.cloudflare.com/ruleset-engine/rules-language/expressions/):

* **Expression Builder**: Allows you to create expressions using drop-down lists, emphasizing a visual approach to defining an expression.
* **Expression Editor**: A text-only interface that supports advanced features, such as grouping symbols and functions for transforming and validating values.

## Expression Builder

To use a list in the [Expression Builder](https://developers.cloudflare.com/ruleset-engine/rules-language/expressions/edit-expressions/#expression-builder):

1. Select *is in list* or *is not in list* from the **Operator** drop-down list.

   ![Selecting an IP list from the Value drop-down list when configuring the expression of a WAF custom rule](https://developers.cloudflare.com/_astro/cf-open-proxies-list.DYcEfIK7_el1WS.webp)

2. Select a list from the **Value** drop-down list. Depending on your plan, you may be able to select a [Managed IP List](https://developers.cloudflare.com/waf/tools/lists/managed-lists/#managed-ip-lists).

3. To commit your changes and enable the rule, select **Deploy**. If you are not ready to enable the rule, select **Save as Draft**.

## Expression Editor

To use a list in the [Expression Editor](https://developers.cloudflare.com/ruleset-engine/rules-language/expressions/edit-expressions/#expression-editor), specify the `in` operator and use `$<list_name>` to specify the name of the list.

Examples:

* Expression matching requests from IP addresses that are in an IP list named `office_network`:

  ```txt
  ip.src in $office_network
  ```

* Expression matching requests with a source IP address different from IP addresses in the `office_network` IP list:

  ```txt
  not ip.src in $office_network
  ```

* Expression matching requests from IP addresses in the Cloudflare Open Proxies [Managed IP List](https://developers.cloudflare.com/waf/tools/lists/managed-lists/#managed-ip-lists):

  ```txt
  ip.src in $cf.open_proxies
  ```
