Field format : add suffix option

[fbaligand]

When we define a custom format for a field, it would be great to add an optional parameter "unit" for number types to define a custom unit measurement.

For example, for a "duration" field, it allows to define "ms" as measurement unit.
And when, it is displayed in a kibana visualization, for value 12, it renders 12 ms

[thomasneirynck]

What do you have in mind specifically?

• the ability to add a piece of text somewhere in the format.
• the auto-conversion of values based on the UOM (e.g. similar to bytes, which can format to kb, Mb, ...)

The first case would be easier.

In the second case, the conversion would really depend on the quantity kind of the UOM. Duration (seconds, hours, days, weeks, ...), distances (ft, meter, mile, ...) all would need different conversion rules.

[fbaligand]

@thomasneirynck
I mean the first option.

Add just a custom "text suffix" indicating measurement unit (ms, kg, ml, ...).

[wylieconlon]

Changed the description to suffix only

[digitalw]

Has this issue been addressed? is there a way to add units to durations?

[wylieconlon]

Fixed in 7.10 by #76729

[fbaligand]

Hi,

• First, thanks a lot for this new feature!
• But I have to say that the feature is not as powerful as I expect
• With a simple checkbox on a "Duration" field format, you can not define a custom unit like "kg", "dl", "miles/h", ...
• Thus, you cannot define a duration "shortcut" unit like "ms". "Milliseconds" is very long to display on a visualization.
• Finally, I'm sad to see some incoherence with APM application that displays durations in milliseconds with "ms" suffix (especially because it is short).

[wylieconlon]

Durations and bytes are the main formatters we have with variable units, where the value is not stored in the same format as its output and where the output might change based on the quantity. We also use a suffix in Lens with the "normalized time" option that can display "/s" or "/h" rates. I wasn't sure that there was a need for a static suffix like kg that would be repeated multiple times per visualization, when you can add the suffix to the field name/dimension label like weight (kg). Is this the feature you're asking for, static suffixes with a text input?

Also, the more powerful duration formatter that APM uses is in the process of being added to index patterns, and has a separate issue tracking it- didn't mention it earlier.

[fbaligand]

Thanks for your answer and your explanations.
I see in PR #100540, that there will be a "Use short suffix" option. That's nice!

And yes, I would like a "text" suffix, available for "Number" (and eventually "Color") field formats.
The suffix can be anything, including a currency (EUR) or a thing (products).

[wylieconlon]

Okay, reopening as we don't have what you're asking for.

I assume that we want composable formatters, so that you can use a number formatter with an additional suffix.

[fbaligand]

Yes, it is not a specific formatter, but a new option in ‘number’ formatter.

[elasticmachine]

Pinging @elastic/kibana-app-services (Team:AppServicesSv)

[ppisljar]

Thank you for contributing to this issue, however, we are closing this issue due to inactivity as part of a backlog grooming effort. If you believe this feature/bug should still be considered, please reopen with a comment.

[fbaligand]

That is really sad to close issues, just because there is no activity.
There is nothing to say more than to ask the enhancement.
Concerning this feature, this is especially frustrating to see that APM application has implemented this feature, but it's not implemented for standard visualizations...
If it is useful for APM application, it should be useful for any visualization.

[fbaligand]

so please re-open.