Simple Auto Calc Question

[Sholly]

This is a simple question, but searching the internet and looking at my books have yet to give me a simple answer.

If I set a field as an auto-calc field (instead of a regular/unstored calc) and unclick "Do not replace existing value", will Filemaker automatically update the value when a related field is modified?

I just want to make sure I don't stick myself with field that won't re-calculate if/when I change a related value in my database.

Thanks!

[comment]

will Filemaker automatically update the value when a related field is modified?

No, it won't - and for a very good reason. What are you actually trying to accomplish?

[Sholly]

I'm just trying to speed up performance. I've got quite a few calc fields in my layout, and many of them are dependent on another... so things are becoming very slow.

As I understand it (from looking on here and elsewhere), you can speed up performance in these situations by:

1. Not including all the calc fields in the layout

2. Changing calc fields to "stored"

3. Writing a script to do the calcs and enter them all at once

#1 is a possibility for me if I mess around with my layouts a bit. #2 I know how to do, so it seems very attractive, though I want the field to auto-update if I change a value in a related field. #3 seems frightening, as I know nothing about scripting.

I see in other posts you have mentioned to people that they should be using summary fields to help speed things up in these instances. I intend to go back through my database and make sure there are not places where I could be using a summary field instead of a calc field.

[comment]

I've got quite a few calc fields in my layout, and many of them are dependent on another... so things are becoming very slow.

That's a bit vague. In general, I find that when things are slow, there's too much data on the layout anyway. Perhaps you should allow users to drill down into details on demand.

you have mentioned to people that they should be using summary fields to help speed things up

That wasn't me:

http://fmforums.com/forum/showpost.php?post/206543/

[LaRetta]

Also, if you have calc fields which reference other calcs which reference other calcs, you can slow things down.

[Sholly]

LaRetta, I think this must be a big problem for me. I do this frequently.

Comment, I believe you are right about having too much data in the layout. Also, thank you for your answer about the auto-enter calcs. I will NOT be using that as a solution to this particular issue. :)