How to build a gauge chart with calculated values
A gauge chart with calculated values computes its own number instead of reading a prepared field. In Jestor, you set a minimum, a maximum and a calculation, and the chart shows progress toward the target directly, without a separate indicator feeding it.
Why gauges were limited before
A gauge is the natural way to show progress toward a goal. Its weakness was always the input: it could only display a value that already existed somewhere as a field.
That meant building a calculated field first, purely so the chart had something to read. Two objects to maintain for one number.
What calculating inside the chart removes:
- Auxiliary fields created only to feed a visual
- A calculation that has to be updated in two places
- Delay between the data changing and the chart reflecting it
- Confusion about which field the gauge is actually reading
What a gauge needs to be configured
| Setting | What it defines | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum value | Where the scale starts | Zero |
| Maximum value | Where the scale ends | The monthly target |
| Calculated value | The result being measured | Sum of closed deals |
| Target | The reference being pursued | Revenue goal |
| Progress | Percentage of the target reached | Derived automatically |
Step by step to build one
- Activate build mode on the app holding the panel.
- Add or edit the gauge chart.
- Set the minimum and maximum, which define the scale.
- Choose the calculated value option instead of pointing at a field.
- Define the calculation, such as the sum of a value on records in a given stage.
- Check the progress percentage, which is derived from the calculation and the maximum.
Where gauges work and where they mislead
A gauge is excellent for a single number moving toward a single target. It is poor at showing a trend, a comparison or a distribution, because the shape encourages reading one thing. Use it for the monthly goal, and a bar or line chart for everything else.
- Calculation inside the chart: no auxiliary field to maintain
- Scale defined explicitly: minimum and maximum under your control
- Progress derived automatically: percentage calculated from the target
- Best for goals: one metric, one target, one clear read
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a separate field to feed the gauge?
No. The gauge can calculate the value itself. See jestor.com.
Can I set my own scale?
Yes. The minimum and maximum values are configurable.
Is the progress percentage automatic?
Yes. It is derived from the calculated value against the maximum.
Video Tutorial: Step by Step
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