What type of field derives its value from calculations or operations on other fields?

The type of field that derives its value from calculations or operations on other fields is known as a calculated field. Calculated fields are designed to perform computations based on the values of other fields within a database or a spreadsheet. For example, in a financial application, a calculated field might determine the total price by multiplying the quantity and unit price fields. This capability allows users to automate computation processes and keep data dynamic and up-to-date.

Calculated fields are especially useful in scenarios such as reports and dashboard displays where the underlying data frequently changes, ensuring that the displayed results are always current without requiring manual updates. This contrasts with other field types where, for instance, a data field simply holds static data, a reference field points to another set of values without performing calculations, and an input field is primarily used for data entry. Thus, the calculated field plays a crucial role in data management and analysis by offering real-time insights derived from base data.