Components are the building blocks of a calculation. They are the numeric values you want to reference in your calculation. Calculations can have many components, or none.

Components are references to some value -- either dynamic or static -- within your project.

Components can be one of four types:

A Property component uses the value of a property on each geometry, such as grossBuildingArea, hardCost, or levels. Use it to calculate something for every geometry, like hard cost from GBA × cost per sq ft. Giraffe runs the formula on each matching geometry, then combines the results with a roll-up operation like Sum or Average.

Filters only work on calculations that use Property components. A geometry with no value for the property is treated as Null, not 0. Every property in the dropdown is listed in the Property Component Reference.

A Measure component uses the result of another calculation in your report. Use it to add up or combine calculations you already have, such as Hard Cost + Soft Cost = Total Cost, or Total Cost ÷ GFA.

The dropdown groups calculations by category and shows each one's current value. The calculation you're editing doesn't appear in its own list. A calculation that only uses Measure components runs once, so it doesn't need a roll-up operation. Use Measure components only with other Measure, Subtotal, or Site area components, not with Property components.

A Subtotal component uses the total of one unit inside a category, such as GFA in Residential. Use it to build on a category total without recreating the calculation behind it, like dividing total cost by GFA in Residential.

Each option reads "[unit] in [category]" and shows its current value. Only units with subtotals turned on appear in the list. Subtotals in Analytics Categories explains how category subtotals are set up.

A Site area component uses an area from your project boundary, in square feet or square meters. Use it for site-based metrics like FAR (GFA ÷ site area) or site coverage.

A site area only shows up in the list once your project has a value for it. Site Area Values explains where each value comes from.

Each component can reference one property/computed value.

The specific options for each dropdown will vary based on the data in your project.

Select the property or value from the dropdown to assign it to the component.

Add more components until you have all of the values you need to build your calculated formula.

Each component is assigned a Letter values. You will use this to reference the component when creating your formula.

Click the bin to delete a component.

When a component is deleted, the Letter assigned will adjust to always remain alphabetical without any letter skips. Sometimes, deleting a component from a measure requires re-writing the formula to call the correct letter.