The Specialty tab includes advanced field types for calculations, repeatable fields, and structured data entry. These options help automate totals, organize complex information, and pull in known details about the end user or site. Several of these field types are complex enough to have their own dedicated article, linked below.
Note: Selecting any field type adds it to your form immediately. A Field Name is required before the field is complete, so name it right away.
Field Types
Calculation (Field, List, and Table)
Automatically adds or averages number values from elsewhere in your form. There are three types depending on the source: a standalone Number field, a List field, or a Table column.
Use it when: you want totals or averages calculated automatically instead of by hand, like combined work hours. See our Form Builder: Calculations article for full setup steps.
List
Repeats a single field as many times as a user needs, so they can add entries one row at a time.
Use it when: you need to collect repeating data such as equipment lists, worker entries, or hazard observations. See our Form Builder: List Field article for full setup steps.
Matrix
Creates a fixed grid of rows and columns that you design. The end user can't add or remove rows or columns. The matrix outputs a value based on the intersection of the selected row and column.
Use it when: you want to guide users toward a calculated result, such as determining a heat stress rating by selecting air temperature and humidity. See our Form Builder: Matrix article for full setup steps.
Table
Adds an editable table for structured data collection. Unlike List, tables use a static grid of columns and are best for entering multiple related values per row.
Use it when: you need users to record measurements, readings, or inspection results in a table format. See our Form Builder: Table article for full setup steps.
Variable
Automatically fills fields with information from your company's Salus account, such as the end user's name, phone number, emergency contact, site name, muster point, or local weather at the site.
Use it when: you want to reduce manual entry by pulling in known data automatically. See our Form Builder: Variable article for full setup steps.
Note: Some Variables populate a field automatically, while others provide a dropdown selection sourced from information in your company's Salus account.
What Happens Next
As soon as you select a field type, it's added to your form. Since most Specialty fields depend on other fields already existing (a Number field for a Calculation, a Table with a column for Calculation (Table), and so on), check the linked article for each type before you start building to make sure the prerequisite fields are in place first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use List or Table for repeating data?
Use List when you only need to repeat one field per entry. Use Table when you need multiple related fields per row, like tasks, hazards, and controls, or paired measurements and readings.
What's the difference between the three Calculation types?
Each pulls from a different source: Calculation (Field) uses standalone Number fields, Calculation (List) uses the Number field a List repeats, and Calculation (Table) uses a Number column in a Table.
What is Matrix used for?
Matrix outputs a result based on two selections crossing on a fixed grid, such as combining severity and probability to output a risk rating, or a temperature reading and a humidity reading to produce a heat stress rating.
Does a Variable field need any setup, or does it work automatically?
It depends on the variable. Some populate automatically with no user input, while others show a dropdown sourced from your company's account data.
Why can't I add a Table or Calculation field inside a List?
List fields only support repeating a single standard field. Table, Calculation, and Variable fields aren't available as options inside a List.