How do I create a custom metric?

Short answer

Open All-platform analytics › Behavior › Metrics & SQL and create a metric. Choose a built-in metric, an event with an aggregation, or a formula that combines them. Set the format (number, percent, duration or currency) and save. The saved metric can then be picked in any analysis and placed on dashboards, so the whole team uses the same definition.

The three kinds

Event aggregations: total, uniques, average per subject, active percent, sessions, first time, and on a property: sum, average, median, 90th percentile, distinct count, min and max.

Write a formula

Formulas use arithmetic, constants and these functions: TOTALS, UNIQUES, AVERAGE, ACTIVE, PROPSUM, PROPAVG, plus {id} to reference a saved metric.

Example, a paying rate: save "Buyers" as the purchase event with uniques, note its id (say 12), then create a formula metric {12} / ACTIVE and set the format to percent.

A formula may reference saved metrics that are not formulas; referencing another formula metric is rejected.

Filters and identity

A metric can carry its own filters (for example only country = US) and its own identity (person, visitor or account). Leave identity empty and it follows the analysis that uses it.

Check and reuse

• The editor previews the last 28 days as a trend before you save.
• In an analysis, pick the saved metric as a measurement. An analysis holds up to 12 measurements, and a saved metric uses one.
• The metric list shows how many places reference each metric.

Common questions

Can I delete a metric that is in use? You will be asked to confirm; forcing it breaks the analyses that reference it.

Why can a teammate not use my metric? Members with hidden properties cannot use a metric that references those properties.

Can I alert on a custom metric? Start from monitors; see set up traffic alerts.

For questions a metric cannot express, query your data with SQL.