When creating a Custom Field in Empower, you always need to define two things: 
the Field Type and
the Data Type.

But what does the Field Type actually mean? 
It tells Empower where your Custom Field will appear and to what it refers.

Here’s a quick overview:

Sample — for info about individual samples (e.g. Sample ID)
Sample Set — for notes on the whole analysis (e.g. Deviation ID)
Component — for variables used in further calculations
Peak — for calculations or assessments per peak
Result — one calculation for the entire result
Distribution — for GPC only, calculates per slice of a peak

Sample, Sample Set, Component → input fields (you enter info)
Peak, Result, Distribution → output fields (used for calculations & assessments)

Quick Quiz: Can you match these Custom Fields to the correct Field Type?
Area/1000
MAX(Area)
Charge
SOP Number
Peak Conversion Factor