Hello,

I hope this is the right place to post.

I have to change a field from calculation to number with an auto-enter calculation in order to give me the option of overriding the calculation and entering a value manually.

When I make the change the values previously calculated are deleted.

Is there a way to restore those values without having to re-enter information in one of the field used in the calculation?

Thank you for your help.

Hi h-bo,

"is there a way to restore those values..."

Not if a field used in the calculation has been deleted. Grab your backup copy and let's try again ...

You can change a field from type calculation to type number and preserve the contents of the calculation ONLY if the field can be stored. But even then, it will recalculate the value when the field is converted to auto-enter so you need that field back that you deleted which was used in the calc.

Now using backup copy, open that calc and go to File > Manage > Databases, fields tab. Select Options on the calculation and then Storage Options and see if it is checked 'Do not store calculation results.' If not, then it should work to convert it as I explained. If it IS checked, disable it and say OK. If it lets you then we are in business and you can use process I describe; if not then you will need to find all records (Show All), export that one unstored calculation field and then import it back into the field. You will be asked at the end of the import process whether to 'perform auto-enter'. Say no. :)

I can't uncheck "do not to store calculation results", probably because some of the fields are global, but I might be able to change this. Reimporting the data will work for sure.

Nothing like a little schooling...great stuff, thank you :)

See also:

http://www.filemaker.com/11help/html/add_view_data.4.46.html#1030709