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Create calculation response questions

Learn how to create calculation response questions via the web app and the mobile app.

Why use calculation response questions?

Using calculation response questions allows your team to automatically answer questions based on previously selected responses within inspections. This means more accurate data for you and more time for your team to perform their daily tasks.

Combined with number responses, calculation responses can become a powerful way to automate common workflows and reduce potential errors when conducting inspections.

Calculation response questions can't be marked as required.

View a calculation response question via the web app.

Create calculation response questions

  1. Log in to the web app.

  2. Select Templates from the menu on the left-hand side.

  3. Click the template and select Edit template in the side panel.

  4. Add a new number response question or select an existing one.

  5. Under the question, click Number on the right-hand side of "Format" and select Calculation from the dropdown menu.

  6. In the side panel, create a calculation formula:

    • You can type $ followed by a question's label to use it in your formula.

    • You can also use mathematical symbols as part of your formula: + to add, - to subtract, * to multiply, / to divide, and ** for exponentiation.

  7. Click Save and apply.

  8. Click Publish on the upper-right of the page to publish the template. If you're not ready to publish the template, you can go back to the template list and publish the changes when you're ready.

  1. Open the mobile app.

  2. Tap Inspections at the bottom of your screen.

  3. Select the Templates tab at the top of your screen.

  4. Tap the template and select Edit template from the pop-up options.

  5. Add a new number response question or select an existing one.

  6. Under the question, tap image on the right-hand side of "Number" and tap Number next to "Format".

  7. On this page, select Calculation.

  8. Create a calculation formula:

    • Type $ followed by a question's label to use it in your formula.

    • You can also use mathematical symbols as part of your formula: + to add, - to subtract, * to multiply, / to divide, and ** for exponentiation.

  9. Tap Save and apply.

  10. Tap Publish on the upper-right of the screen to publish the template. If you're not ready to publish the template, you can go back to the template list and publish the changes when you're ready.

  1. Open the mobile app.

  2. Tap Inspections at the bottom of your screen.

  3. Select the Templates tab at the top of your screen.

  4. Tap the template and select Edit template from the pop-up options.

  5. Add a new number response question or select an existing one.

  6. Under the question, tap Number on the right-hand side of "Format" and select Calculation from the dropdown menu.

  7. In the side panel, create a calculation formula:

    • You can type $ followed by a question's label to use it in your formula.

    • You can also use mathematical symbols as part of your formula: + to add, - to subtract, * to multiply, / to divide, and ** for exponentiation.

  8. Tap Save and apply.

  9. Tap Publish on the upper-right of the screen to publish the template. If you're not ready to publish the template, you can go back to the template list and publish the changes when you're ready.

Frequently asked questions

You'll need SafetyCulture 23.14 or above to see calculation response questions while conducting inspections.

If your device has SafetyCulture 23.12 or below installed, calculation response questions won't be visible during inspections, but you can see them when viewing the relevant inspection report.

Although calculation response questions are supported in repeat sections, there are scenarios where you won't be able to create a formula and reference number or calculation response question in repeat sections.

Scenario 1: A formula inside a repeat section can't reference a number or a calculation response question that is part of a nested repeat section.

In the example below, the Total - Parent calculation response question can't reference number response questions in the Repeat sections (Child) as it's nested inside the Repeat section (Parent).

Edge case scenario example of referencing a number or a calculation response question in repeat sections via the web app.

Scenario 2: A formula inside a repeat section can't reference a number or a calculation response question from a separate repeat section.

In the example below, Total - 2 calculation response question can't reference number response questions in the Repeat sections (1) as questions are in separate repeat sections.

Edge case scenario example of referencing a number or a calculation response question in repeat sections via the web app.

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