ESRS report, step 3 (1): Understanding Automatically Calculated Datapoints in Aggregations

Some datapoints in the questionnaire are automatically calculated based on values entered in earlier datapoints. While this simplifies data entry and improves consistency, it can lead to confusion, especially when using an aggregation as data collection method, where values from multiple entities are combined.

This article explains how these calculations work and offers best practices to ensure smooth collaboration and accurate data outcomes.

General behavior:
Some datapoints are automatically calculated using values entered in previous datapoints. When a user clicks into one of these fields, a notification appears informing them that the value is automatically calculated.
At this point, the user can choose to deactivate the automatic calculation and enter a manual value instead. This action is irreversible - once deactivated, the system will no longer calculate the value, and only manual input will be possible.

In aggregation scenarios, the system automatically adds the values entered by the participating entities. These totals are then used for further automatic calculations (e.g. percentages, ratios). The admin or module manager can see both the individual inputs from each entity and the automatically calculated total. This setup helps provide transparency but can become confusing if users edit calculated values manually or in the wrong order.

How Aggregation Works:

• The system automatically sums or combines values from multiple participating entities.
• These totals are then used to calculate additional metrics (e.g., ratios, percentages, averages).
• Admins and module managers can view:
  • Each entity's individual entries
  • The system-calculated total across entities

Best Practice Steps for users participating in an aggregation:

1. Follow the order of datapoints
   Enter data in the sequence in which DPs are presented. This ensures that when a user reaches a datapoint with an automatic calculation, the necessary input values are already in place, allowing the system to calculate the value automatically. The user then only needs to review it.
2. Avoid editing automatically calculated DPs
   To avoid the irreversible cancellation of an automatic calculation, these DPs should be left as auto-calculated wherever possible.

Click "Cancel"

Fill out Datapoints in order

The automatic calculation will fill the value automatically

For Users Overseeing an Aggregation (e.g. Admins, Module Managers)

1. Wait for All Entities to Enter Data
   • Ensure that each participating entity has completed inputs for all datapoints that feed into auto-calculated fields.
2. (Optional) Mark Dependent Datapoints as “Complete”
   • This can help freeze values and prevent accidental changes after calculations are performed.
3. Check for Auto-Calculated Totals
   • Once all inputs are in, the system will automatically calculate the totals unless a field has been manually overridden.

Review the answers

Values are automatically added