# Working with calculated indicator results

We'll guide you on connecting a live dataset with a calculated indicator. Metrics seamlessly connects with leading mobile data collection tools like KOBO Toolbox or the import of existing spreadsheets for automated indicator roll-up and reporting.

# Prerequisites

This assumes you have already completed the following steps in Metrics:

Create a project and add the project's start date and end date. See our guide on working with projects. (opens new window)
Create an indicator. See our guide on working with indicators. (opens new window)
Import a table. See our guide on importing data. (opens new window)

# Create reporting periods

To set reporting periods for an indicator, right click on an indicator and select expand record. This will open a pop up window. Scroll down to the section called Reporting Period and click to expand this section.

Select one of options under the Reporting frequency field. Currently Metrics supports the following reporting intervals:

Daily
Weekly
Every two weeks
Monthly
Quarterly
Semi-annually
Yearly
Life of project (at the start and end date of the project)

Once a reporting frequency is selected, Metrics will create reporting periods based on the project's start date and end date at this interval.

# Set targets for each reporting period

With the reporting periods created, Metrics allows you to set a target for each reporting period. You can enter them in the corresponding field next to each reporting period. Once done, click save to save and exit the expanded indicator page.

# Set up calculated indicator

Once you have an indicator with reporting periods with set targets, you can now calculate results for this indicator. To add indicator results, right click on an indicator and select Add results from the menu options.

This will prompt you to the results page for this indicator. On the right panel, follow these steps to calculate your indicator results:

Under Data Source, select a dataset from a previously imported table.
Once a table is selected, you can view the data source under the data source tab to help you familiarize yourself with the data itself.
Under Calculation, select the desired calculation type such as SUM, PERCENTAGE, AVERAGE.
Next, pick the dataset column that you want to perform the calculation on.
Under the Reporting Period, select the date column that will be used to group your results by.
Once done, click Save result to execute the calculation and save the results.

Data type detection

Metrics identifies which dataset columns you can use in calculating your indicator results. If a dataset column is not available, please check the data type shown and see if it is a compatible data type using the following:

The column field must be an integer or float (decimal) data type.
The date field must be a date data type.

# Using conditions in calculating indicator results

Under the Calculation step above, you have the option to add one or more conditions to perform the calculation.

To add conditions:

Select the column for the condition
Select an operator such as Greater than, Less than, Equal to, or Not equal to
Input a value
For multiple conditions, select AND or OR options.

#

Share your thoughts

Have any feedback? We’d love to receive your expert feedback so that we can build a tool that would help practitioners like yourself. Here's what we're interested in:

Do you use the same data set to calculate results for multiple indicators?
Do you have to report indicators in multiple reporting frequencies such as monthly and quarterly?
What are the most often used calculation types (I.e. sum, percentage, average)?

Share your thoughts by using our Contact page. (opens new window)

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