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Computed Fields

Computed fields derive their values automatically from other data in your board. They are read-only --- you do not type into them directly. Instead, they calculate, aggregate, or record information based on rules you define or on system events like row creation and modification.

Formula​

The Formula field lets you write custom expressions that compute a value for each row based on other columns, constants, and a rich library of built-in functions.

  • Value type: String (read-only, computed result)
  • Default behavior: Evaluates the formula expression and displays the result in each row.
  • Typical uses: Calculated totals (price x quantity), date differences, conditional text, percentage derivations, concatenated strings.

Writing Formulas​

Formulas reference other columns by their field identifier and support arithmetic operators, text manipulation, date calculations, logical conditions, and more. The formula language provides a comprehensive set of functions for building complex expressions.

Arithmetic examples:

  • {Price} * {Quantity} --- Multiply two columns.
  • ({Revenue} - {Cost}) / {Revenue} * 100 --- Calculate a profit margin percentage.

Conditional examples:

  • Display different text based on a threshold.
  • Return a default value when a field is empty.

Formula Output Formatting​

Once a formula is defined, you can configure how the result is displayed using the same formatting options available for Number and Date fields --- including decimal places, separators, prefixes, suffixes, and date formats.

Function​

The Function field performs a mathematical operation across two or more columns within the same row. While Formula uses a free-form expression language, Function provides a streamlined interface for selecting an operator and the columns to calculate.

  • Value type: String (read-only, computed result)
  • Default behavior: Applies the selected operator to the chosen columns and displays the result.
  • Typical uses: Column-to-column arithmetic (add, subtract, multiply, divide), within-row aggregations (sum, average, min, max, count), time differences between date columns.

Available Operators​

OperatorDescription
AddAdds the values of selected columns
SubtractSubtracts one column from another
MultiplyMultiplies column values together
DivideDivides one column by another
SumSums all selected columns
AverageCalculates the arithmetic mean of selected columns
MedianFinds the median of selected columns
CountCounts non-empty values across selected columns
MinReturns the smallest value among selected columns
MaxReturns the largest value among selected columns
Time DiffCalculates the difference between two date columns

Function vs. Formula​

Use Function when you need a quick, straightforward calculation between columns and prefer a point-and-click configuration. Use Formula when you need complex expressions, conditional logic, or text manipulation.

Tracker​

The Tracker field provides a visual progress indicator based on a numeric value. It is designed for scenarios where you want to show completion percentage or progress toward a target.

  • Value type: Number
  • Default behavior: Displays a progress bar or percentage based on the stored numeric value.
  • Typical uses: Task completion percentage, project milestones, goal progress, sprint burndown.

Tracker fields are especially useful when combined with Rollup or Formula fields that calculate completion ratios from linked data.

System Fields​

System fields are automatically populated by Copera whenever rows are created or modified. They cannot be edited manually and provide a built-in audit trail for every row.

Created Time​

Records the exact date and time when the row was first created.

  • Value type: Date (read-only)
  • Display: Formatted according to the date format you select (US, EU, or ISO, with or without time).
  • Typical uses: Audit trail, SLA tracking, aging reports, creation date filtering.

Modified Time​

Records the date and time of the most recent update to the row.

  • Value type: Date (read-only)
  • Display: Same configurable date formats as Created Time.
  • Typical uses: "Last updated" indicators, stale item detection, activity monitoring.

Created By​

Displays the workspace member who created the row, shown as a user avatar.

  • Value type: User reference (read-only)
  • Display: User avatar and name on hover.
  • Typical uses: Ownership attribution, accountability, filtering by creator.

Last Modified By​

Displays the workspace member who most recently edited the row.

  • Value type: User reference (read-only)
  • Display: User avatar and name on hover.
  • Typical uses: Tracking who made the latest change, review workflows, responsibility assignment.

Date Format Options for System Fields​

Both Created Time and Modified Time support the same date and date-time formats available for the Date field:

CategoryExamples
Date onlyMM/dd/yyyy, dd/MM/yyyy, yyyy-MM-dd
Date + time (12h)MM/dd/yyyy h:mm a, dd/MM/yyyy h:mm a
Date + time (24h)MM/dd/yyyy HH:mm, dd/MM/yyyy HH:mm

Next Steps​