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Problem creating custom measure with dynamic_fields api parameter

  • 28 August 2020
  • 1 reply
  • 222 views
S

Hi! I’m having some trouble creating a custom measure via the Looker API (4.0). Technically, I’m using the JavaScript SDK via extension framework, but I get the same results via standalone API as well.


I’m trying to make a new custom measure based on an existing dimension, but the measure needs to be of type number. However, these are the only types of measure I seem to be able to create (screenshot from the custom fields user interface below)


Screen Shot 2020-08-28 at 9.27.44 AM


Trying to pass type number into the dynamic_fields parameter (the API way to create custom fields) and it fails. It just gives up and makes my custom field a dimension instead of a measure (no errors communicated to me)



  1. Why are these the only measure types I can create?

  2. How can I create a custom measure of type number?


Thank you! I know you’re all super busy, but it would really help me out to have some clues here.


(relevant documentation: https://docs.looker.com/exploring-data/adding-fields/custom-measure)

1 reply

thomas_brittain
Userlevel 4

Hello @StevenSchrembeck,


I’ve thought through your problem a bit; I’m not sure Looker means for us to create custom number measures. Reading the documentation on the measure type number.



A measure of type: number does not perform any aggregation, and is meant to perform simple transformations on other measures.



Maybe the intended use is to create a custom measure and wrap it in a custom dimension? I’m not sure that helps, but thought I’d add the thoughts here for others.


Kind regards,

–Thomas

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