Thanks, Geoff.
I was afraid that was the answer re: stored calculations. Your
suggestion to tackle the problem just at the second level sounds like
it would be well worth some consideration.
I am definitely not excited about the option of exporting and
importing data between the levels, nor do I like the look up or auto-
calc option. Too easy to end up looking at incorrect info based on
old data.
I appreciate your suggestions. Thanks again.
Sue
On May 5, 2010, at 12:25 PM, Geoff Graham wrote:
On May 5, 2010, at 1:56 PM, Sue wrote:
I am wondering what steps I could take within Filemaker to speed up
the file functioning, such as possibly storing calculation results
at each level (none are stored at present, which I suspect is the
problem). Is there anything I need to consider before changing all
of my calculations to stored? Can I assume the fields will
recalculate as necessary whenever additional data is added at the
bottom level, or not?
That does appear to be the low-hanging fruit for you. Your second
option actually changes your structure some, which you are satisfied
with except for the speed issue.
Stored calcs that use indexable data from the current record will
auto-update; Stored calcs that use data from a related record will
not, if only the data in the related file has changed.
so from what I'm picturing of your solution, no, they will not
update as necessary. I might try to change a few key fields at that
2nd level to text, number, whatever; instead of a calc, with the
needed lower level data getting in there via lookup or auto-entered
calc. From the description of your structure, just getting some
indexes at that second level may very well give you acceptable
performance again.
Lookups and auto-enters may not cut for you you, in which case I
would brute-force it: Script getting the data from level one to
level two. I picture a looping script with a go to related record
and a few variables. If I had to export a summary temp file from
level one, then import that into level two, well I would hate myself
a little, but I'd eventually get to sleep that night. :)
Geoff
