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
Laura_Thacker's avatar
Laura_Thacker
Qrew Commander
6 years ago
I have done this on many occasions and use the API in the URL bar to set this.

?a=API_SetKeyField&fid=X&apptoken=catjbq7277cyecb3vh95zdqgi5

AnkitPruthi1's avatar
AnkitPruthi1
Qrew Member
6 years ago
Do I need to create a new filed (Formula Url) to do this?

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Ankit Pruthi
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  • MarkShnier__You's avatar
    MarkShnier__You
    Icon for Qrew Legend rankQrew Legend
    6 years ago
    They recently blocked doing the API to change a table's Key field to be a formula field as it was unreliable and led to weird buggy behavior.

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    Mark Shnier (YQC)
    Quick Base Solution Provider
    Your Quick Base Coach
    http://QuickBaseCoach.com
    markshnier2@gmail.com
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  • Laura_Thacker's avatar
    Laura_Thacker
    Qrew Commander
    6 years ago
    Ankit, you can use a formula to calculate the key-value; but you must then push the formula value into a standard text field that you set as your Key for your table.  If your table already exists; then you must build the new [Key] text field; populate it with unique values before you can make it the Key. 

    If your key value is a combination of other field selections separated by a delimeter of some kind; such as [xyz]-[abc]-[def], then you need a formula on your Add-form to "calculate" the Key value.  Either when all required values are populated or when the record is saved, push the calculated formula value into the [Key] text field to save.

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    Laura Thacker (IDS)
    laura@intelligentdbs.com
    (626) 771 0454
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    • MarkShnier__You's avatar
      MarkShnier__You
      Icon for Qrew Legend rankQrew Legend
      6 years ago
      ... Ankit,
      If it was not clear, Laura means to use form rules and set the form rule to fire all the time.  De-select the checkbox at the bottom of the form rule screen so that at all times of the formula does not match the Key field to change the Key field to the value in the formula field.

      ------------------------------
      Mark Shnier (YQC)
      Quick Base Solution Provider
      Your Quick Base Coach
      http://QuickBaseCoach.com
      markshnier2@gmail.com
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    • AnkitPruthi1's avatar
      AnkitPruthi1
      Qrew Member
      6 years ago
      Hi Laura,

      Thanks for the suggestion. Quick Question? When you mean push the calculated value into the key field, you mean automation right?

      I am uploading data, which run's in thousands, Automation is limited to 1000 rows max, so in such a scenario pushing via automations will not be possible right?

      Appreciate your help!

      Regards

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      Ankit Pruthi
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      • MarkShnier__You's avatar
        MarkShnier__You
        Icon for Qrew Legend rankQrew Legend
        6 years ago
        No, we were assuming this was manual data entry in Forms and you would using firm rules.  If you are uploading then Pre calculate the key field before uploading.

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        Mark Shnier (YQC)
        Quick Base Solution Provider
        Your Quick Base Coach
        http://QuickBaseCoach.com
        markshnier2@gmail.com
        ------------------------------