In this paper, we briefly introduce the basic questions in the measurements of solar magnetic fields and the possible error sources due to the approximation of the theory of radiation transfer of spectral lines in the solar atmosphere. We introduce some basic research progress in magnetic field measurement at Huairou Solar Observing Station of National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, especially concerning the non-potentiality in solar active regions, such as the magnetic shear, current and helicity. We also discuss some basic questions for the measurements of the magnetic fields and corresponding challenges for the future studies. Solar spectrum, Polarization -Stokes parameters, Magnetic fields -current and helicity PACS number(s): Citation: Hongqi Zhang, From Polarimetry to Helicity, Sci. China-Phys. Mech. Astron. , (), doi: