Output Fields

Output fields are a new type of field, introduced in an effort to transition away from the previous output metadata system.

Output fields let users store key details directly on individual measurement values recorded for a recipe or sample. Once added to a definition, these fields can be used to capture essential background information, such as:

• Test time and date
• Humidity
• Operator details
• Equipment serial numbers

Note: Output fields are not to be confused with condition parameters, which are also stored on outputs. While condition parameters are controlled variables in a test, output fields provide additional context about how the measurements were obtained.

Benefits of Output Fields

To use output fields, add them directly to the Recipe Output definition on the Form Admin page.

• Better Integration: While output metadata is managed separately in the Metadata tab of the Outputs page, output fields are managed directly on the Recipe Output definition itself.
• Filtering and Visualizations: Output fields can now also be used in filtering and visualizations.
• Triggers: Output fields can be associated with triggers, enabling users to automate calculations based on the values in the fields.

Adding Output Fields to Measurements

To use output fields, add them directly to the Recipe Output definition on the Form Admin page.

1. Navigate to the Definitions tab of the Form Admin.
2. Access the “Recipe Output” definition.
3. Within the Fields tab, create new fields (A) or add existing ones (B). Fields can be single select, dropdown, numeric, or categorical.

Assigning Output Field Values to an Experiment Measurement

Once added fields to the Recipe Output definition, you can edit output field values for measurements directly on the Enter Measurements page.

1. Access the Enter Measurements page.
2. Click on an individual measurement cell.
3. Select the blue “…” to view Measurement Details.
4. In the popover, select the Edit Toggle Recipe Output Fields.
5. In the Recipe Output Fields sidepanel, users will be able to edit and assign values for all output fields added on the definition.

Filtering a Project Using Output Fields

If an output has an assigned output field value, it can be used when filtering experiments in a project. For example, if a “timestamp” output field is added to an MFI measurement, you can filter experiments not only by specific MFI values but also by the time the MFI was recorded.

The steps for creating an output fields filter are as follows:

1. Add an “Outputs” filter for the measurement associated with the output field value (A).
2. In the window below, go to the “Listing Filters for [Output]” tab.
3. Click “Filter” and choose “Recipe Outputs” as the filter type (B).
4. Select the output field to filter by (i.e. timestamp).

By filtering first for outputs with MFI values and then by output field (”timestamp” value between March 21 and March 28, 2025) only experiments that meet both conditions will be shown.

Filtering Visualizations Using Output Fields

Output fields can also be incorporated into Explore Data visualizations. By plotting an output and adding a Recipe Output filter, you can limit the plot to experiments with specific output field values.

To filter your visualization by a specific output field, follow these steps:

1. In Explore Data, plot the measurement associated with the output field value (A).
2. From the “Add Filter” dropdown, select “Add Experiment Outputs List Filters” (B).
3. Choose the “Recipe Outputs” filter type and select the output field to filter by (C).

By creating a plot for your output and filtering the plot by the “timestamp” output field, you can will restrict your visualization to only include experiments meeting the specified output field conditions.

Using Output Fields with Triggers

Output fields can also be linked to triggers to automate calculations on measurement values. For example, by adding a “Number to Double” output field and pairing it with a “Double Quantity” trigger, you can easily double any measurement value with a click.

Associating an Output Field with a Trigger

To associate an output field with a trigger, take the following steps.

Step 1: Add a Numeric Output Field

• Navigate to the Definitions tab in the Form Admin page.
• Add a new numeric field to the Recipe Output definition (i.e. “Number to Double”).
• Copy the output field’s reference name (i.e. numberToDouble).

Step 2: Create a Trigger

• Go to the Trigger Sets tab in the Form Admin page.
• Search for “Recipe Outputs Trigger Set”.
• Click “+ Add Trigger”, then create and name a new explicit trigger (i.e. “Double Quantity”).
• From the Actions dropdown, select “Set Value”.

Step 3: Configure the Trigger Action

• In the Edit TriggerAction modal, go to Field Values and click “+ Add”.
• In the Edit EntityFieldValues modal, set the entity field to “Numeric Quantity” and open the value spec editor.

Step 4: Define the Value Spec

• In the Edit Value Spec modal, configure the value spec.
• For this example, we want to double the quantity of the new output field “Number to Double” using the following value spec: (mul 2 ref:fields.numberToDouble)
• Note that is just one example. Using the same process and different value spec, you can apply other calculations or operations to numeric output fields.

Step 5: Save the Trigger and Assign a Reference Name

• Save the action to the new trigger.
• In the Advanced tab, add a reference name (i.e. doubleQuantity).

Adding an Action Button

Once the output field has been added and associated with a new trigger, you need to add the action button to your Recipe Output definition.

• Return to the Recipe Output definition.
• Select the field group.
• In the “Actions” tab, add a new Action button with:
  • Name: This will be the button label displayed in the Edit Recipe Outputs modal.
  • Trigger Reference: Enter the reference name of the trigger (doubleQuantity).

Using the Trigger

After saving, the new numeric output field and action button will be accessible in the Edit Recipe Outputs side panel.

On the Enter Measurements page, users can now select an output, open the sidepanel, and use the action button to update the value.