---
title: 9 Box Reporting
slug: 9-box-reporting
docTags: 
createdAt: 2026-10-20T14:00:46.110Z
---

Calibration views now have two tabs: the **Sheet** you already know, and a new **N Box** grid. The N Box plots everyone in a calibration view on two rating fields, such as performance and potential. You can drag people between boxes to propose new ratings, then merge every change back to their profiles in one step.

This article covers how to:

- Set up the N Box axes for a performance review
- Read the N Box and the Sheet
- Propose rating changes by dragging people
- Merge or discard calibration changes

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/CXAjUAezd9VEEVQBIYmdw/lbnoNpTGUQLC91xr_9KjW_01-calibration-views.png)

## Before you start

- You need edit access to the performance review to set up the N Box axes.
- Each axis uses a ChartHop field in the performance review, not a form question. Pick fields that hold a single value from a list, such as a 1-3 performance rating or a potential rating. Calculated fields, open job fields, and built-in fields such as Level aren't available.
- Each axis field has to be linked to the review. Only fields tied to a question in one of the review's forms show up in the axis pickers.

## Set up the N Box axes

1. Go to **Performance** and open the review.
2. Click the arrow next to **Close review**, then click **Edit**.
3. Under **Highlighted calibration questions**, choose an **N Box horizontal axis** and an **N Box vertical axis**.
4. Click **Save**.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/CXAjUAezd9VEEVQBIYmdw/ZluL0lbcyyhKUq5qnFR-G_02-edit-review-axes.png)

Once both axes are set, every calibration view on the review shows **Sheet** and **N Box** tabs. To turn the N Box off, clear both axis fields and save.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/CXAjUAezd9VEEVQBIYmdw/S-TpuY0mIhpafyhiX7do-_03-sheet-tab.png)

## Read the N Box

Open any calibration view from the **Calibration** tab and click **N Box**.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/CXAjUAezd9VEEVQBIYmdw/rNTEdMJdLL9CIWnq_FFXf_04-nbox-grid.png)

- **Boxes:** Each box is one combination of the two axes, such as "High Potential / Exceeds expectations." The number in the corner shows how many people are in it.
- **Axis order and color:** The boxes follow the order and colors of the field values in your data model. A box's color blends its row and column colors.
- **Unplaced:** Anyone missing a value on either axis appears in the Unplaced list on the left. You'll also see people as unplaced if you don't have access to one of the axis fields for them.
- **Filter:** Use the filter bar to narrow the grid, the same way you filter the Sheet.
- **Person details:** Click a person to open their details panel without leaving the view.

## Propose changes by dragging people

Drag a person from one box to another, or from Unplaced into a box. ChartHop saves the move right away as a proposed change. It doesn't touch their profile until someone merges it.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/CXAjUAezd9VEEVQBIYmdw/e03Iw2r0kexRSgB52jydu_05-nbox-proposed-move.png)

- Moved people show in **yellow**. Hover over them to see the box they came from and who proposed the move.
- The toolbar shows how many people have moved in the view you're looking at, such as "1 moved in this view."
- To clear someone's ratings, drag them back to Unplaced.
- You can drag a person only if you can edit both axis fields for them. People who have left the company or changed jobs since their rating are read-only.
- Proposed changes are shared across every calibration view on the review. If two calibrators move the same person, the most recent move wins.

The Sheet shows the same proposals. The axis columns display the calibrated value, and proposed values are highlighted in yellow. CSV exports from the Sheet include the calibrated values too.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/CXAjUAezd9VEEVQBIYmdw/QniZn5yILbzpoOORIiSAn_06-sheet-proposed-highlight.png)

## Merge or discard changes

When the review has proposed changes, a **Merge changes** button appears in the review header, with the number of pending changes. You need edit access to the review to merge or discard. Everyone else sees the count as a read-only tag.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/CXAjUAezd9VEEVQBIYmdw/8v_ruj4-1AOffgx0uEaEI_07-merge-button.png)

### Merge

1. Click **Merge changes**.
2. Review the list. It shows each person, their new axis values, and who proposed the change.
3. Click **Merge**.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/CXAjUAezd9VEEVQBIYmdw/P16wnIX91OGVwaavyfe_m_08-merge-dialog.png)

Merged values update each person's fields as of the merge date. If some review responses aren't released yet, the window reminds you that merged values become visible right away to anyone with access to those fields.

If someone in the list no longer holds the same job, or you don't have access to one of their fields, the merge stops and names the person so you can sort it out first.

### Discard

To throw out every proposed change, click the arrow next to **Merge changes**, then click **Discard all changes** and confirm. This can't be undone.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/CXAjUAezd9VEEVQBIYmdw/s54dGv0hlENLOwmhKETZE_09-discard-menu.png)

### Closing the review

If you close a review with unmerged calibration changes, ChartHop warns you first. You can still open calibration views and merge changes on a closed review.

## FAQ

**Can I use form questions as axes?** No. The N Box reads and writes field values, so each axis has to be a field. If you rate with a question today, create a field for it and link the field to the question.

**Can a review have more than one N Box?** Each review has one N Box, defined by the two axes you choose in the review settings.

**Does the N Box have to be 3x3?** No. The grid size comes from the number of values in each axis field. A field with 4 values on one axis and 3 on the other gives you a 4x3 grid.

**Why does someone show as unplaced when I know they have a rating?** Either they're missing a value on one of the two axes, or you don't have access to view that field for them.