Identify unused fields

[MicheleC]

Is there an easy way to check whether a field is used in any scripts and/or present on any layouts?  I have a database that's been around for quite a while and I suspect that some of the fields are no longer used/needed.  I've determined that we don't directly need the data in these fields (either it's captured better elsewhere, or it was for a workflow that no longer exists), but before I go deleting them I want to be sure that they aren't (1) present on a layout somewhere or (2) used in a script.

[Rick Whitelaw]

Since you have Advanced you can create a DDR. It will tell you where a given field is used.

[Lee Smith]

Is there an easy way to check whether a field is used in any scripts and/or present on any layouts?  I have a database that's been around for quite a while and I suspect that some of the fields are no longer used/needed.  I've determined that we don't directly need the data in these fields (either it's captured better elsewhere, or it was for a workflow that no longer exists), but before I go deleting them I want to be sure that they aren't (1) present on a layout somewhere or (2) used in a script.

There are some tools that can assist you (Inspector, Base-Elements), they can be expensive. One way to do this is to rename the fields by adding a lead character that will make them sort together such as xxx_currentFieldName.

[MicheleC]

Since you have Advanced you can create a DDR. It will tell you where a given field is used.

 

Sadly, I have no idea what any of that means.  Could you be more specific?  What is "Advanced"?  What is a "DDR"?  How do I create one?

There are some tools that can assist you (Inspector, Base-Elements), they can be expensive. One way to do this is to rename the fields by adding a lead character that will make them sort together such as xxx_currentFieldName.

 

I'm not sure I understand how renaming and sorting my fields will tell me where they are used, could you elaborate?

[Lee Smith]

If you don't know what a DDR is, you need to read the help about the Developer Tools that are available in your copy of FileMaker. The tools I mentioned, work with the DDR Reports.

Naming your fields by modifying the fields as I suggested will do two things. Sort so that the suspected fields will be together making them easier to spot in relationships, scripts, and in the DDR Report.

DDR is shot for Database design report.

[mr_vodka]

Definitely start with the DDR and perhaps some DDR analyzer tool such as BaseElements or Inspector as mentioned previously.

 

That being said, this tool should also help and IMO a must have for developers.

 

http://www.dracoventions.com/products/2empowerFM/family/developer.php

[Lee Smith]

I 2nd that. In fact, that was my first thought, but got distracted trying to remember the other tools I mentioned. :(

[Rick Whitelaw]

For a task like this the DDR should be easy enough to navigate without special tools, but that's just my two cents.