I am not sure what I am doing wrong.

I have a global variable in a table. That Global Variable triggers a calculation..unstored...

The unstored calculation triggers a summary field (Count of).

When using a layout from that table this works fine.

But when I try to do this through a portal on a different table.. when I change the Global Variable... none of the information refreshes.

I think the issue lies in my summary field... it isn't refreshing in the portal... Is there a way to force it to refresh when I change the global value?

I don't understand your description:

I have a global variable in a table.

I think you mean a global field - not a variable?

But when I try to do this through a portal on a different table..

What exactly does "do this through a portal" mean?