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Docusign Trainer Tips: How to Configure Formula Fields

  • May 19, 2025
  • 2 replies
  • 260 views
M
Docusign Employee
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Do you need to calculate values dynamically based on data entered by recipients in your Docusign eSignature documents? Are you looking for a way to automate calculations like totals or durations without manual input?

 

Formula fields in Docusign allow you to build formulas that calculate values based on other Docusign fields. This feature is particularly useful for scenarios such as calculating a total amount or the number of days based on data entered by a recipient in previous fields.

 

In this Trainer Tip video, Sr. Product Trainer Markus Duesterhoeft demonstrates how to configure formula fields to automate calculations in your documents. Learn how to set up formula fields, customize data labels, and test your envelope to ensure the calculations work correctly.

 

 

Key Takeaways:

  1. Create a New Envelope or Template: Start by adding your documents and recipients.
  2. Prepare Text Fields: Set up text fields for data entry, such as Name, Address, Product Name, and Price. Make fields read-only if necessary.
  3. Customize Data Labels: Use descriptive data labels for easier reference in formula fields.
  4. Add Formula Fields: Set up formula fields to calculate values based on other fields. Use the dropdown to select relevant fields and mathematical operators.
  5. Specify Decimal Places: Adjust the number of decimal places for precision.
  6. Test formulas: Test the envelope in a developer environment to ensure the formula fields calculate correctly.

Remember, formula fields won't calculate in the preview mode, so testing the envelope is crucial to verify the functionality.

Screenshot of the Formula field properties with the Set Up button highlighted. Screenshot of a formula showing three fields being added together and the Decimal Places selection set to 2.

 

Additional Resources:

For further information about configuring formula fields, check out the following articles: 

We also have instructor-led courses on many other topics. Please visit our live training calendar and register for a course today!

 

Continue the Conversation

How have you or your team used formula fields in Docusign? Do you find the automated calculations helpful or do you need some help? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Feel free to share your experiences or ask any questions in the comments below.

    2 replies

    R
    Newcomer
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    • Rob HNewcomer
    • Newcomer
    • February 2, 2026

    Is there a limit to number of fields that can be used in formulas? I have 12 columns with two rows to calculate with 12 individual results. Then I summarize them in a total. This seems to only hold about 10 values in the dropdown field and typing them manually does not work. The worst part is I can get 5-6 to work, then no further ones work. If I delete the ones that work, then the newly created ones work. Seems like a limitation on how many are available for use at one time?

     

    M
    Docusign Employee
    Forum|alt.badge.img+5

    Hi Rob,

    Great use cas, formulas can definitely handle that level of calculation. There isn’t a published cap like “10 fields per formula,” but the behavior you’re seeing usually comes from field eligibility or scoping rather than a hard limit.

    A few quick checks:

    • Field types: Make sure inputs are Number tabs or Dropdowns with “Use in Calculations” enabled. Text tabs won’t appear for numeric math.
    • Data labels: Ensure every field has a unique, descriptive label. A simple prefix/index (e.g., C01_Row1, C01_Row2 … C12_Row2) helps, and you can type the prefix in the selector to filter the list.
    • FYI - Recipient scope: The formula field can only reference fields owned by the same recipient. Cross-recipient references won’t show up. Conditional visibility: If inputs are hidden or conditional for another recipient, they won’t be eligible for formulas owned by a different recipient.

    Build in layers:

    • Calculate each column’s result in its own formula field.
    • Sum those 12 result fields in the final total. (If the editor still feels limiting, try creating two subtotals (1–6 and 7–12) and then add those together.)

    Also, save/close/reopen the template and test by sending an envelop, formulas don’t compute in preview, and a test send can surface any indexing quirks. If labels still go missing from the picker, it may be a UI issue; happy to look at a sanitized example. You can email me at markus.duesterhoeft@docusign.com, or we can loop in Docusign Support with the template ID and screenshots.

    Let me know whether you’re summing the 12 intermediate results or referencing all raw inputs directly, that helps pinpoint where the editor is filtering items out. Hopefully it’s just a minor tweak with data labels needed.

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