Calculation Fields

Calculation fields let you perform math on values entered by respondents and display the result in real time. They are perfect for order totals, pricing quotes, scores, and any scenario where you need to compute a value from other form fields.

Adding a Calculation Field

To add a calculation field to your form:

1. Open the form editor and find Calculation in the field panel under the Advanced category.
2. Click it or drag it onto the canvas where you want the result to appear.
3. Click the field to select it and open the settings in the right panel.

The calculation field displays its computed result to the respondent in real time. As they fill in the fields referenced by your formula, the result updates automatically.

Fast Setup for a Scored Survey

If each answer is worth points and the total should qualify a lead or assign a profile, you do not need to build the formula one row at a time:

1. Open Score a survey in the Calculation field settings.
2. Check the choice questions that should count toward the score.
3. Click Use questions for this score.

WittyForm turns those questions into single-choice questions, fills blank point lists as 1, 2, 3 from top to bottom, adds them together, displays the possible score range, and marks this Calculation as the form's profile score. You can then adjust any answer's exact points from that question's Scoring weights section.

Choosing an Operator

The Advanced formula builder lets you choose the arithmetic operator between each pair of values:

• Add (+): Adds all operand values together. Use this for totals and sums.
• Subtract (-): Starts with the first operand and subtracts each subsequent operand. Use this for differences and discounts.
• Multiply (×): Multiplies all operand values together. Use this for unit pricing (quantity × price) or percentage calculations.
• Divide (÷): Starts with the first operand and divides by each subsequent operand. Use this for averages and ratios.

For example, a single formula can calculate Bedrooms × 350 + Living rooms × 750. Standard multiplication and division precedence applies before addition and subtraction.

Adding Operands

Operands are the values that go into your calculation. Each operand is either a reference to another field in your form or a constant number.

Field Operands

Select a numeric field (Number, Slider, Rating, NPS, or Scale) from the dropdown. The calculation will use whatever value the respondent enters in that field. If the respondent has not yet filled in the field, it is treated as 0.

Constant Operands

Enter a fixed number. This is useful for tax rates, multipliers, or base values. For example, to add 8% tax, use the Multiply operator with a constant of 1.08.

You can mix field operands and constants in the same calculation. Click Add to add more operands, and use the trash icon to remove any operand.

Displaying Results

You can customize how the calculation result appears to respondents using the display settings:

• Prefix: Text displayed before the result. Common examples include currency symbols like $, €, or £.
• Suffix: Text displayed after the result. Common examples include %, kg, or points.
• Decimal places: The number of decimal places to show. Set to 0 for whole numbers, 2 for currency values, or any number up to 10 for precision.

For example, with a prefix of “$” and 2 decimal places, a result of 149.5 would display as $149.50.

Use Cases

Order Totals

Create an order form with number fields for each item price. Use a calculation field with the Add operator and add each price field as an operand. Set the prefix to “$” and decimal places to 2.

Tax Calculation

Add a subtotal field, then create a calculation field with the Multiply operator. Add the subtotal field as the first operand and a constant of 1.08 (for 8% tax) as the second operand. The result is the total including tax.

Unit Pricing

Add a “Quantity” number field and a “Unit Price” number field. Use a calculation field with the Multiply operator and add both fields as operands. The result updates as the respondent changes either value.

Scores and Assessments

Use Radio, Dropdown, or Multiple Choice questions and turn on their Scoring weights. The Score a survey setup on the Calculation field connects the questions, totals the selected answer points, and prepares the score for result profiles under Form settings → Logic.

Best Practices

• Place the calculation field after the fields it references so that respondents see the result only after entering the input values.
• Give your number fields clear labels so the operand dropdowns are easy to read.
• Use meaningful prefixes and suffixes to help respondents understand the result (e.g., “$” for currency, “kg” for weight).
• Set appropriate decimal places: 0 for counts and scores, 2 for currency.
• Remember that calculation fields are read-only for respondents. They cannot edit the computed value.
• If you need multiple calculations (e.g., subtotal, tax, then grand total), add separate calculation fields for each step.