global lookups?

[innodes]

I am trying to run a lookup to populate a global field, without any success. Is this possible, or one of those global field peculiarities?

specifically:

userId_g => Get ( UserName )

userId_to_author => lookup to Contacts table, userId, show name_last.

thanks

[innodes]

I couldn't find it, and spent enough time digging. I am sure it is something I did, but not sure what. I found a backup that worked and am in the process of rebuilding.