--- title: Creating a Measure from Scratch description: Although the typical workflow is to create an indicator or program measure while creating a scorecard container, a measure can also be created from scratch. --- [Skip to content](https://support.clearimpact.com/en/2023-creating-a-measure-from-scratch#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [Contact Support](https://support.clearimpact.com/en/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en) [![Clear-Impact-Logo-Wide-Tagline-RGB.png\]](https://support.clearimpact.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/Clear-Impact-Logo-Wide-Tagline-RGB.png?height=40&name=Clear-Impact-Logo-Wide-Tagline-RGB.png)](https://support.clearimpact.com/?hsLang=en) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English Show submenu for translations - [Contact Support](https://support.clearimpact.com/en/kb-tickets/new) - [Help Desk](https://support.clearimpact.com/en/kb-tickets/new) [Help Desk](https://support.clearimpact.com/en/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en) Hi, how can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Help Center](https://support.clearimpact.com/en?hsLang=en) 2. [Scorecard Documentation](https://support.clearimpact.com/en/scorecard-documentation?hsLang=en) 3. [Scorecard Objects](https://support.clearimpact.com/en/scorecard-documentation?hsLang=en#scorecard-objects) # Creating a Measure from Scratch Although the typical workflow is to create an indicator or program measure while [creating a scorecard container](https://support.clearimpact.com/en/2023-adding-a-new-container-to-a-scorecard?hsLang=en), a measure can also be created from scratch. A common reason to create a measure from scratch, and not as part of a scorecard, would be to use it as a disaggregated (child) measure in a [calculated measure](https://support.clearimpact.com/en/2023-creating-calculated-data-values-for-a-measure?hsLang=en). If your account includes [variables](https://support.clearimpact.com/en/2023-variables?hsLang=en), which are solely used in calculated measures, these are created from scratch as well. *Note: This article covers how to create an indicator from scratch. Creating a performance measure or variable from scratch works the same way.*   To create a new indicator, open the **Indicator** list by choosing **Objects / Measures / Indicators**. ![](https://support.clearimpact.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-11-05%20at%202-53-04%E2%80%AFPM-png.png?width=510&height=218&name=Screenshot%202025-11-05%20at%202-53-04%E2%80%AFPM-png.png)   At the top of the **Indicator** list, click **Add New**.  ![](https://support.clearimpact.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-11-05%20at%202-53-22%E2%80%AFPM-png.png?width=581&height=158&name=Screenshot%202025-11-05%20at%202-53-22%E2%80%AFPM-png.png)   At the top of the **Create New Indicator** page, assign an indicator name, keep the type as **Indicator**, and add any [tags](https://support.clearimpact.com/en/2023-tags?hsLang=en) that will make it easier to find this indicator in a search. ![](https://support.clearimpact.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-11-05%20at%202-53-38%E2%80%AFPM-png.png?width=594&height=145&name=Screenshot%202025-11-05%20at%202-53-38%E2%80%AFPM-png.png) The next set of fields relate to the data that will be entered or imported for this measure. The **Data Format Preview** shows an example of how the data will appear. ![](https://support.clearimpact.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-11-05%20at%202-54-00%E2%80%AFPM-png.png?width=524&height=211&name=Screenshot%202025-11-05%20at%202-54-00%E2%80%AFPM-png.png)   - **Frequency:** How often the data is reported or gathered. The default frequency is **Monthly**, or you can choose **Quarterly**, **Annually**, or **Half-Year**. Users with admin permission can set up [additional custom frequencies](https://support.clearimpact.com/en/2023-reporting-frequencies?hsLang=en). - **Polarity:** The trend in data that indicates success. You can also choose not to display polarity, or specify that the indicator has no polarity. - **Decimals:** Number of decimals after the decimal point - **Unit of Measure:** If the data is a plain number, leave this field blank. But if the data is presented as a percent, dollar amount, or other type of unit, enter the symbol (% or $ etc.) in this field. Check **Display Before** to add the unit before the number, as in the case of dollar amounts. - **Calculation Type:** If no calculation is needed for the data, choose **Not Calculated**. Standard [calculation options](https://support.clearimpact.com/en/2023-creating-calculated-data-values-for-a-measure?hsLang=en) include **Sum**, **Average**, **Ratio**, and **Ratio x 100** for percents. There are also several [sum and average calculations for YTD and totals](https://support.clearimpact.com/en/2023-creating-accumulated-calculations?hsLang=en). If you need a different calculation, there is also a [**Custom Equation**](https://support.clearimpact.com/en/2023-creating-custom-calculations?hsLang=en) option.  - **Calculate Null Values as Zero:** Check this option if you want to use a value of zero when no data is reported. The last indicator field is **Definition**. Enter the indicator description, with options for standard text and HTML formatting, insert images and links, etc. ![](https://support.clearimpact.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-11-05%20at%202-55-04%E2%80%AFPM-png.png?width=440&height=248&name=Screenshot%202025-11-05%20at%202-55-04%E2%80%AFPM-png.png)   Click **Save & Exit** at the top, which opens the [indicator details page](https://support.clearimpact.com/en/2023-viewing-or-editing-a-measure?hsLang=en), where you can [add notes](https://support.clearimpact.com/en/2023-adding-notes-to-scorecard-objects?hsLang=en) and [data](https://support.clearimpact.com/en/2023-entering-data-values-and-target-values-for-a-measure?hsLang=en). This page will also display data results once entered. In the **Add** drop down menu at the top, or in the **Relationships** section at the bottom, you can add the indicator to one or more containers, define other measures that aggregate this measure, define measures used to [calculate this measure](https://support.clearimpact.com/en/2023-creating-calculated-data-values-for-a-measure?hsLang=en), or add [measures to compare](https://support.clearimpact.com/en/2023-trend-line-comparison-/-show-comparison-chart?hsLang=en) on this measure’s data graph. ![](https://support.clearimpact.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-11-05%20at%202-55-28%E2%80%AFPM-png.png?width=553&height=315&name=Screenshot%202025-11-05%20at%202-55-28%E2%80%AFPM-png.png) - [Scorecard Documentation](https://support.clearimpact.com/en/scorecard-documentation?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Getting Started](https://support.clearimpact.com/en/scorecard-documentation?hsLang=en#getting-started) - [Scorecards](https://support.clearimpact.com/en/scorecard-documentation?hsLang=en#scorecards) - 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