For the statistics page we would like to have not only the total number of collection objects but also the total number of individuals in a collection. These 2 statistics are not the same because of the lots. (In some collections we have many collection objects which are jars with several individuals in it).
I don’t see a way to do that, therefore this Feature Request, which may be related to this one:
If we cannot define calculated fields in the query itself, it would be useful to have some more predefined virtual fields that can be queried and shown in the statistics page. For example, there is a field countAmt in the collectionobject table which we use to indicate the total number of individuals. It would make sense to have a virtual field that shows the sum of values in this field.
Another related post is this one:
At the end of it, a suggestion is given to use an Specify API to update a read-only field in the system. I am not sure how to go about this, I could try it, but an easier way of handling calculated fields from within Specify would be really useful.
@sorosoro
I agree this would be a very useful feature! Calculated fields, and the ability to modify the calculations present in the stats panel, would allow for way better data reporting and accessibility for a lot of different types of users. I think the workaround using the API is not a great solution, especially because it would be a pain to clean those extra fields up in the event that customizable virtual-fields actually get implemented officially.
@Franziska and I touched on this before in another GitHub Issue / thread specifically about the Stats Panel and improvements that should be made to it here:
Soraya, could you chime in as a +1 supporting the changes in the stats panel thread I linked to move this up in priority for the devs as another requesting institution, if you agree with the other improvements outlined?
@Grant Might make sense to reciprocally link the GitHub issue @sorosoro mentioned and the one I linked, as they share the request for calculated fields in the stats page in common. Please count OSU in as a +1 on requesting the ability to do calculated fields.
