---
title: "Reader Review Form Calculations"
slug: "reader-review-form-calculations"
updated: 2026-04-14T00:51:11Z
published: 2026-04-14T00:51:11Z
canonical: "knowledge.technolutions.net/reader-review-form-calculations"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://knowledge.technolutions.net/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Reader Review Form Calculations

Calculated fields allow a form to automatically perform mathematical operations using values from other fields. This can be useful for generating totals, scores, or other derived values without requiring manual entry.

For example, a **Total Rating** field could automatically add together values from an **Academic Rating** field and an **Extracurricular Rating** field.

## Step 1: Configure the Fields Used in the Calculation

Before creating the calculated field, ensure that the fields providing the values are properly configured.

Each field should include the following:

**Export Key** The export key is the internal reference used when building the calculation formula.

- Use **lowercase characters**
- **Do not include spaces**

**Data Type** The field must use a numeric data type so that the values can be included in a calculation.

- **Int** – used for whole numbers
- **Real** – used for decimal values

**Note:** If a non-numeric data type is selected, submitted values will be treated as text and concatenated rather than mathematically calculated.

## Step 2: Create the Calculated Field

Next, create the field that will display the calculated result.

This field should be configured with:

- An **Export Key**
- A **numeric Data Type**
- A **Calculation Formula**

The calculation formula defines the mathematical operation that Slate should perform.

### Example

If the export keys for the rating fields are:

- `academic_rating`
- `extracurricular_rating`

The calculation formula would be: @academic_rating + @extracurricular_rating

When the form is submitted, Slate will add the values from these fields and display the result in the calculated field.

## Supported Operators

Calculation formulas support standard mathematical operators:

| Operator | Function |
| --- | --- |
| `+` | Addition |
| `-` | Subtraction |
| `*` | Multiplication |
| `/` | Division |

In addition to standard mathematical functions, all JavaScript mathematical functions are also supported. For example:

| **Standard Mathematical Functions** |  |
| --- | --- |
| **Average** | (@aca + @extra)/2 |
| **Multiple operators** | ((3*@aca) + @extra)/2 |
| **Average with a consistent denominator** | (@var1 + @var2 + var3) / 3 |
| **Average with a *variable*** **denominator** *If there are values in some but not all the variables in this formula, those will be averaged. There has to be a value in at least one of the variables. Otherwise, you'll get a divide-by-zero error; that's why variable 1 is assumed to be there (nothing conditional, just a literal 1 value), and only variables 2 and 3 will change the denominator based on if there's a value present or not.* | (@var1 + @var2 + @var3) / (1 + ((@var2)?1:0) + ((@var3)?1:0)) |

| **Conditional Statements** |  |
| --- | --- |
| **Example 1** Check if the variable has a *numeric* value greater than 0, not just any value. Place any valid calculation in the if-yes and if-no parts, but both must be present even if only to return nothing/an empty string. | (@variable > 0) ? (DO-THIS-IF-YES) : (DO-THIS-IF-NO) |
| **Example 2** Check if there's a value in the variable (numeric or text, doesn't matter) and if yes, return a 1. If no return a 0. | @variable ? 1 : 0 |

| **Javascript Mathematical Functions** |  |
| --- | --- |
| **Round up always** | Math.ceil((@aca + @extra)/2) |
| **Round down always** | Math.floor((@aca + @extra)/2) |
| **Round** | Math.round((@aca+ @extra)/2) |

> [!CAUTION]
> 🔔 Important!
> 
> If a *string* value is being translated, append the export key in the calculation formula with "*_text*".
> 
> In these cases, use the following format for the calculation formula: translate("key", @export_text)

> [!TIP]
> Click [here](http://mzl.la/148HnQj) for a comprehensive list of available JavaScript Math Library Functions.