Calculated Fields in ZipLeads automatically create values from your existing CRM data. You can build formulas to calculate lead scores, track important dates and monitor customer milestones, all without updating records by hand. Built-in formula testing and automatic recalculation help keep your CRM data accurate and consistent.
What are Calculated Fields?
Calculated Fields are a custom field type. They automatically calculate a value using existing data from the same CRM record. They work with Contacts, Opportunities and Custom Objects, and can produce number, text and date results.
Note: Calculated Fields are read-only. They recalculate automatically when the source fields they depend on change. You can't manually overwrite their results through record edits, imports or workflows.
Key benefits of Calculated Fields
Calculated Fields update information automatically based on the calculation you set up. This cuts down on manual work and helps keep your records consistent.
Automatic calculations: Values stay accurate and up to date as source fields change, with no manual updates.
Flexible calculations: Do maths, text, date and conditional calculations, including time-based tracking.
Reliable results: Test formulas before saving, and protect calculated values from manual changes.
Smart List integration: Show calculated values as columns and filter contacts using supported fields.
Calculation types
ZipLeads offers four calculation types. Pick one based on whether you want to write your own expression or measure time between important dates.
Calculation Type | Description | Example |
Custom Formula | Calculate values using maths operators, functions and conditional logic. | Calculate lead scores or combine text fields. |
Time Between | Measure the time between two date fields. | Time between lead creation and conversion. |
Time Since | Track the time that has passed since a selected date. | Days since the last purchase. |
Time Until | Calculate the time left until a selected date. | Days until contract renewal. |
Custom Formula
Build calculations using maths operators, text functions, date functions or conditional logic. Use the Formula Builder to insert existing CRM fields and functions, or use Ask AI to help write a formula.
Time Between
Select a Start Date Field and an End Date Field to calculate the time between them.
Time Since
Select a Start Date Field to calculate the time that has passed since that date.
Time Until
Select an End Date Field to calculate the time left until that date.
Note: Date-only fields default to 12:00 AM UTC for time calculations.
Output types and supported functions
Calculated Fields support several output types and built-in functions, so you can control how results are calculated and shown.
Output types
Output Type | Description |
Number | Numeric values such as totals, averages and scores. |
Boolean | True or false results based on conditions. |
Text | Combined, transformed or formatted text. |
Date | Calendar date results. |
Date/Time | Results with both a date and a time. |
Time | A time value without a calendar date, such as 10:30 AM. |
For Number outputs, you can choose Formatted, Unformatted, Currency or Percentage. Time-based calculation types automatically use a Duration output.
Supported functions
The Formula Builder includes functions for different kinds of calculations.
Category | Supported Functions |
Math | SUM, AVERAGE, ROUND, MIN, MAX, ABS |
Text | CONCAT, UPPER, LOWER, TRIM, LEFT, RIGHT, REPLACE |
Date/Time | ADD_TIME, YEAR, MONTH, DAY, WEEKDAY |
Logic | IF, AND, OR, IS_KNOWN |
The Formula Builder also has a Conversion category and Ask AI, which helps you write formulas from plain-English instructions.
Using Calculated Fields in Smart Lists
You can show Calculated Fields as columns in Contact Smart Lists, so you can see calculated information alongside other contact details. Supported calculation types can also be used as filters for more precise segmentation.
Calculation Type | Smart List Column | Smart List Filter |
Custom Formula | Yes | Yes, where supported |
Time Between | Yes | Yes, where supported |
Time Since | Yes | No |
Time Until | Yes | No |
Important: Time Since and Time Until fields can be shown as Smart List columns, but they can't be used as filters.
To manage columns or filters, go to Contacts → Smart Lists and set up the relevant Smart List.
For more filtering options, see Advanced Filters in Smart Lists.
How to set up Calculated Fields
To create a Calculated Field, you choose the field type, set up the calculation and check the result. Testing your formula before saving helps make sure the values match what you need.
Go to Custom Fields: Go to Settings → Custom Fields, select the CRM object, and click Create Field.
Select the field type: Choose Calculated and enter the Field Name, Folder and any other required details.
Choose a calculation type: Under Calculate Field Settings, select Custom Formula, Time Between, Time Since or Time Until.
Set up the calculation: For Custom Formula, select the output type and build a formula using Functions, Fields or Ask AI. For time-based calculations, select the date fields you need.
Test and preview: For Custom Formula, enter sample values, click Test Formula, check for any errors, and review the Live Preview.
Save the field: Click Create Custom Field to save. The calculated, read-only value will now show on the matching CRM record.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do Calculated Fields need workflows to update their values?
No. Calculated Fields recalculate automatically when their source fields change. No workflows needed.
Q: Why is my formula giving the wrong result even though validation passes?
Validation checks for errors, but the calculation can still give unexpected results. Check the source fields, the output type you chose and your formula logic, then use Test Formula with sample values.
Q: Why is my time-based calculation showing a different duration than I expected?
Date-only fields default to 12:00 AM UTC when calculating durations. Check the date fields you selected and their values to make sure the calculation is using the right dates.
Q: Can Ask AI create a formula for me?
Yes. Describe the calculation you want using Ask AI in the Formula Builder. Review the formula it creates and test it with sample values before saving.