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Grid edit behavior and formula query fields

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If you are using grid edit on tables that have formula queries in formula fields, there are some different behaviors:

  • You cannot directly edit formula fields while using grid edit

  • However, you can edit fields that are referenced in formula queries

  • Some formula fields will update immediately when a field they reference is updated. Others will not.

How formulas that reference other records calculate

When you edit a field that is referenced in a formula query, you'll see the formula field update only for that record.

For example: in this table,

  • Field A is not a formula field

  • Field C is a formula field

  • Field C references field A when it calculates

Record

Field
(not a formula field)

Formula field
(contains a formula query)

Changes to formula field

1

A
(updated during grid edit)

C
(references field A)

Occurs instantly

2

A

C
(references field A)

Click Save to see changes

  • When you edit field A in record 1 during a grid edit:

    • Record 1: the value of field C will change instantly since it is on the same record as the edited field

    • Record 2: the value of field C will change on Save

How formulas that rely on other records with formulas calculate

During a grid edit if you

  • Edit fields that impact formula query results AND

  • Other fields rely on the calculated results for their value

Then

  • The original value is used in the additional formula calculation until after you save

This means formulas could use outdated data in their calculations until you Save.

For example: in this table,

Field
(not a formula field)

Formula field
(contains a formula query)

Formula field
(contains a formula query)

Changes to formula field

Record 1

A
(updated during grid edit)

B

C
(references field A)

Occur instantly

Record 2

A

B

C
(references field A in record 1)

Click Save to see changes

Record 3

A

B
(references C in record 2)

C

Click Save to see correct calculation. Pre-save, will calculate based on the previous value of field C in record 2

  • Field C in records 1 and 2 references reference field A in its calculation

  • Field B in record 3 references field C in record 2 in its calculation

  • If you edit field A in record 1, only field C in record 1 will update before saving the grid edit

    • Field C in record 2 will not update

  • Before saving the grid edit, field C in record 3 is calculated using the original value of field C in record 2

  • After saving the grid edits, all field values are updated