Introduction to Formulas

Formulas are an integral part of Plecto. They take the raw data from data sources and convert it to metrics and various KPIs that you can visualize on Plecto dashboards, slideshows, and reports. Learn about the difference between formulas and KPIs in this article.

Data in spreadsheets is usually organized in rows and columns. Plecto works in the same way, but we call the rows registrations and the columns fields. When calculating a result, a formula generally selects a data source, narrows down which registrations to include in the calculations, checks which fields to look at, and calculates the result from the registration values.

You can also add filters to your formulas to get specific metrics, depending on the fields available in your data sources. For example, display the number of calls with the status "answered" or see the number of registrations from a particular campaign.

The formulas are built on components. A component can be, for example, a data function (number of, the sum of, minimum, maximum, average, and more), an existing formula, IF function, group, date function, or a static number. You can add as many components to your formulas as you like.

You can choose the format of the formula output. Number formatting determines how the formula result gets shown on your dashboards and reports.

The available formatting options are text, decimal number, Yes/No, percent, duration, date and time, date, and time since. See the different number formatting outputs in the video below.

In Plecto, you don't define time periods in formulas. You do that on widgets on your dashboards and reports. This way, you can create and use the same formulas across Plecto without having to create new formulas for each separate time period you want to visualize. Read more in Selecting a Time Period.