# Add a Computed Field

Source: https://userguide.qualytics.io/fields/computed-fields/how-tos/add/

Add a Computed Field to a container to derive a new value from one or more existing fields.

> **Info: Related**
>
> - Concept: [Introduction](https://userguide.qualytics.io/fields/computed-fields/deep-dive/introduction/) for what a Computed Field is.
> - Mechanics: [How It Works](https://userguide.qualytics.io/fields/computed-fields/deep-dive/how-it-works/) for validation, execution model, and interaction with Sync.
> - Reference: [Transformation Types](https://userguide.qualytics.io/fields/computed-fields/deep-dive/transformation-types/) for the full list of transformations and their options.

> **Tip: Show me how**
>
> The app can walk you through this. Click **Show me how**  in the form's header, or press `H` while it is open, and the **Add a Computed Field** walkthrough highlights each step while you fill in the real form. See [The How-tos Scope](https://userguide.qualytics.io/using-the-platform/web-app/global-search/command-palette/#the-how-tos-scope) for every way to start one.

## Field Reference

Every field on the Add Computed Field modal, in three sections that mirror the layout of the form.

![Fields reference 1: Name and Transformation Type](https://userguide.qualytics.io/assets/fields/computed-fields/how-tos/add/fields-reference-1.png)

| REF. | Field | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **Name** (Required) | A unique name for the Computed Field inside the container. Prefer `snake_case` with a suffix that hints at the shape of the derived value (for example, `duration_minutes`). |
| 2 | **Transformation Type** (Required) | One of **Cast**, **Cleaned Entity Name**, **Convert Formatted Numeric**, or **Custom Expression**. Selecting a type reveals the fields specific to that transformation. See [Transformation Types](https://userguide.qualytics.io/fields/computed-fields/deep-dive/transformation-types/) for what each type needs. |

![Fields reference 2: Suggest sparkle and Description](https://userguide.qualytics.io/assets/fields/computed-fields/how-tos/add/fields-reference-2.png)

| REF. | Field | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 3 | **Suggest** | Generates an AI description for the Computed Field based on the current form values. Only visible when an AI provider is configured under AgentQ. See [Description Suggestions](https://userguide.qualytics.io/agentq/deep-dive/how-it-works/#description-suggestions) for the full workflow. |
| 4 | **Description** (Optional) | A short business summary of what the Computed Field represents. The field opens a Markdown editor (up to 8,000 characters) that can be pinned to the side of the page, so the transformation settings and the description stay visible together. |

![Fields reference 3: Owner and Additional Metadata](https://userguide.qualytics.io/assets/fields/computed-fields/how-tos/add/fields-reference-3.png)

| REF. | Field | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 5 | **Owner** (Required) | The Qualytics user who owns this Computed Field. Defaults to you. Only users with the **Editor** team permission can assign a different owner; users with the **Author** team permission can create Computed Fields they own but cannot reassign later. |
| 6 | **Additional Metadata** (Optional) | Custom key-value pairs. Click the plus icon to open the editor and add rows. |

Transformation-specific fields (for example, source field, target type, term settings, or SQL expression) appear below **Transformation Type** once you pick a type. See [Transformation Types](https://userguide.qualytics.io/fields/computed-fields/deep-dive/transformation-types/) for the per-type reference.

## Steps

**Step 1**: Navigate to the container where you want to add the Computed Field and click the **Add** button in the top-right corner of the container overview.

![Add button on the container overview](https://userguide.qualytics.io/assets/fields/computed-fields/how-tos/add/step-1-add-button.png)

**Step 2**: A dropdown appears with the items you can add to the container.

![Add dropdown open with Check and Computed Field options](https://userguide.qualytics.io/assets/fields/computed-fields/how-tos/add/step-2-add-dropdown.png)

**Step 3**: Select **Computed Field**.

![Cursor on the Computed Field option in the Add dropdown](https://userguide.qualytics.io/assets/fields/computed-fields/how-tos/add/step-3-computed-field-option.png)

**Step 4**: The Add Computed Field modal opens. See the [Field Reference](https://userguide.qualytics.io/fields/computed-fields/how-tos/add/#field-reference) above for what each input controls.

![Empty Add Computed Field modal](https://userguide.qualytics.io/assets/fields/computed-fields/how-tos/add/step-4-empty-modal.png)

**Step 5**: Fill in the fields. Name, Transformation Type, and the transformation-specific fields are required; Description, Owner, and Additional Metadata are set as needed.

![Add Computed Field modal filled with an example name, Custom Expression transformation, SQL expression, description, owner, and metadata](https://userguide.qualytics.io/assets/fields/computed-fields/how-tos/add/step-5-filled-modal.png)

**Step 6**: Click **Add**.

![Add button highlighted at the bottom of the modal](https://userguide.qualytics.io/assets/fields/computed-fields/how-tos/add/step-6-add-button.png)

**Step 7**: A success message confirms the creation and the new Computed Field appears in the container's field listing. Saving also runs a quick profile of the container, so the Computed Field's first values appear within seconds.

![Success message confirming the Computed Field was created](https://userguide.qualytics.io/assets/fields/computed-fields/how-tos/add/step-7-success-message.png)

*Last updated: November 7, 2026.*