Forum Discussion

JuanSolorio1's avatar
JuanSolorio1
Qrew Cadet
11 years ago

Can a formula text field be used as the table's key?

I have a formula text field that I want to use as my table's key, however the option is not available to me. Can formula fields not be used as the Key? Note: values in that formula field are and wi...
Formulas and functions
Tables and fields
RussellLane's avatar
RussellLane
Quickbase Staff
6 years ago
Hey folks - thanks so much for your question, and for the comments and answers!  We noticed the discrepancy between the UI and the API around this issue, and had some concern about possible data integrity issues resulting from that.  Data integrity is a critical issue to us, so we've made a change that will make the API behave the same as the UI - it will no longer be possible to set formula fields as keys via the API.  That should appear in an upcoming release.
  • QuickBaseCoachD's avatar
    QuickBaseCoachD
    Qrew Captain
    6 years ago
    Russel,

    Thx for that clarification.  I used to use that technique, but then ran into "bugs"where I had records with duplicate key fields.  Given that this was an undocumented feature, I reverted back to a traditional Key field.
  • DrewVoge's avatar
    DrewVoge
    Qrew Cadet
    6 years ago
    will the change in the API behavior in any way affect existing tables where the key was established in this manner?
  • hhersch's avatar
    hhersch
    Quickbase Staff
    6 years ago
    Hi Drew - it will not. But having a formula key field has the potential to cause inaccurate data.