I am working on a db with relational files two levels deep, ie. the first db relates to second db which then relates to a third db. Fields from the second db are displayed in the layout for db 1 within a portal. I would like to be able to update fields in the third db from the interface in the first db. However, the key between dbs 1 & 2 is different than the key between dbs 2 & 3.

I can figure out how to display the fields from db 3 in db 1 (using calc fields in db 2 and then adding those calc fields to the portal) but I can't update them. I tried to find a way to get the key between db 2 & db 3 to db 1 (using calc fields) so I could create a relation from db 1 to db 3 but, because of the portal, the calculation field in db 1 only displays the key for the first record in db 2 no matter what the active portal row is. Any ideas?

Hopefully, I explained it clearly enough that you can figure out what I'm trying to do...

Create an unstored calculation field in db2 for each field from db3 that you want to appear in the portal. The formula simply will be:

db3::MyField

You can place this in the portal in db1 and it should display.

I know I can display the fields from db 3 in db 1 via this method but I need to be able to update the third db from the first db. You can't update calculation fields.

Sorry, I misread your post. It looks like you will have to use a script to do the updating.