Custom fields
Custom fields are an extremely valuable part of ChartHop that gives you the ability to create custom data sets relevant to your organization. With the custom fields modal up, you can see that every custom field has a label and a codename.
Codenames appear in Camel Case and are the primary language when applying CQL in filters and fields. In this example, you can see that "Tenure Heatmap" becomes "tenureHeatmap." The capital "H" in the codename creates a camel "humpback" effect, from which the name "Camel Case" comes.
Pro tip
By default, labels and code names match upon creation, but you can make your codename first and then edit your label if you want the two to be different and have a shorter codename that's easier to use and remember (e.g., codename = baseRange but label = "Employee Salary Range").
When creating Custom Fields for use with CQL, it is essential to select the correct data type between Smart Calculations and Smart Buckets. Each of these data types serves different purposes but is necessary to building out simple or complex formulas to manage data.
Smart Calculation
- Smart Calculations are just one expression, but these calculations can be very long depending on the data for which you are trying to build a formula
- Smart Calculations are for continuous analysis using algebra + basic math and return one numerical value (dollar amount or date)
- Used for intermediate values in complex calculations. (Multiple math calculations)
- Examples: Calculating for prorated salary or targeted bonus payout
Pro tip
Always add a description of smart calculations explaining how they work and what they do.
Smart Buckets
- Smart buckets apply assigned colors to each calculated expression to make your reports look pretty!
- Smart buckets return data in a range of numerical values instead of just 1 number, like smart calculations.
- They are used to tag or group employees with multiple options.
- Examples: Salary guideline buckets and eligibility groups.
The applies to field in the custom fields modal tells ChartHop where to apply your smart calculations. Calculations can apply to one of four options. Knowing how to choose the right applies to is best illustrated by the "astronaut in a spaceship" metaphor:
- People fields would be about the astronaut [Birth Date]
- Jobs fields would be about the spaceship [carrot ship]
- People in jobs fields would be about them flying the spaceship. [Speed of ship in last race won by the astronaut]
- Open jobs fields would be about the spaceship when not ready to fly yet. [Construction Time]
ChartHop supports a number of different custom field types. Here are the lists, definition, and examples your organization might use:
Data Type | Definition | Example |
Short Text | Short text box field. | Please list allergies, if any |
Long Text | Long text box field. | What accomplishments have you had since your last performance review? |
Integer Number | Range of absolute numbers. | On a scale of 1-5, how would you rate your work ethic within the last six months? |
Decimal Number | Range of numbers with the option of using decimals. | What is your current completion percentage of your KPIs? |
Yes/No | Yes or No high-level tracking. | Should this employee be promoted? |
Money | Money value field. | $2,000 |
Person | Select a single member of the organization. Member names will auto-populate when searched. | Did a current employee refer you? If so, select who. |
Persons | Select multiple members of the organization. Ability to set max and min. | Select a minimum of three peer reviewers |
Multiple Choice | Custom field will have preset answers. | Which of the three skills do you exemplify the most? • Individual contributor • Team Player • Influencer |
Numerical Scale | Text containing numerical value. | 1 - Does not meet expectation 2 - Meets expectation 3 - Exceeds expectation |
Smart Calculation | Calculation that will automatically compute based on a custom expression. | Calculate compensation budgeting based on cost of living per location: base * ((1.2 if loc:"new york") + (0.1 if loc:"london")) |
Smart Buckets | Multiple-choice that will automatically compute based on matching expression filters. | Create buckets to determine tenured versus non-tenured employees: Recently hired: tenure <=12 2nd year: tenure <=24 and tenure >12 Everyone else: tenure>24 |
File | Link to employee-specific files. | Offer Letter, ND |
Track employee data that is not already being synced via ChartHop's Built-In fields by creating custom fields.
- Select create custom fields from Custom Fields.
- Enter a code name for the custom field. Example: tshirtSize (Code name must be all alphanumeric or underscores — no spaces. We recommend the code name be something you can easily refer to in order to reference in custom expressions.)
- Enter Label for the custom field. Example: T-Shirt size (This is the human-readable format of the custom field.)
- Enter a description. Example: "The employee's approximate T-shirt size, to help plan when ordering company swag"
- Select Data Type. Example: Multiple Choice (The form will expand specific to the data type selected if preset values or expressions are needed for selection.)
- Select from Applies To dropdown.
- Person in Job: The field relates to the person's performance within their specific job (for example Performance Rating or Satisfaction level)
- Person: The field relates to the person, but is unrelated to their job and would be the same if that person were in a different job (for example a T-shirt size or Myers-Briggs Rating)
- Job: The field relates to the job itself and is not connected to the person who is in that job.
- Open Job: The field relates only to open jobs (for example recruiting-related metrics)
- Select the appropriate Sensitivity level. Example: Org Public
- Enter a numerical value for Expire After X days. Leave blank if not applicable.
- Add values in the expanded part of the form.
- Click Save