Forum Discussion

AmyGosz2's avatar
AmyGosz2
Qrew Cadet
6 years ago

When a child record is added, create a second child record

My app has two tables. When the child record is added, I would like another child record automatically created and have some fields pre-populate with data from the first child record. I think it would...
Quickbase Automations
MarkShnier__You's avatar
MarkShnier__You
Icon for Qrew Legend rankQrew Legend
6 years ago
np,
Automations to the rescue!

Have you used Automations yet? They are great.
But there will be one VERY important trick with this.  Before you build the Automation, please make a field called [Created by Automation?] as a checkbox field.

Then go into Settings and Automations and create an Automation to fire when a record is created and  and that field [Created by Automation?] is not checked.

Then have the ACTIONS be a step to create a record.  be sure to set that field [Created by Automation?] to be checked when you have the Automation create the record.

The reason for that checkbox field is so that the Automation does not get into an infinite loop and try to create a record because it created a record.

Post back if you have trouble with setting up the Automation.

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Mark Shnier (YQC)
Quick Base Solution Provider
Your Quick Base Coach
http://QuickBaseCoach.com
mark.shnier@gmail.com
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AmyGosz2's avatar
AmyGosz2
Qrew Cadet
6 years ago
HI Mark...I did try an automation, but the field values I want to populate in the new child record are formula fields on the original child record. Those fields were not available in the drop down of fields to choose to set up and populate.

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Amy Gosz
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  • MarkShnier__You's avatar
    MarkShnier__You
    Icon for Qrew Legend rankQrew Legend
    6 years ago
    You cannot type manually into a formula field nor can an Automation write into a formula field.  So you will need to rethink that you are trying to do.  Or explain here what you are trying to do.



    ------------------------------
    Mark Shnier (YQC)
    Quick Base Solution Provider
    Your Quick Base Coach
    http://QuickBaseCoach.com
    mark.shnier@gmail.com
    ------------------------------
    • AmyGosz2's avatar
      AmyGosz2
      Qrew Cadet
      6 years ago
      In the original child record I have formula fields populate based on data being entered. I would like to take the values in those formula fields and create a second child record automatically. Ultimately, we would run a report to pull both original and new child records. However, as you said, I think my train of thought is flawed and I need to think a bit more on this. I'm hoping I don't have to create a another child table for the automatic record. Thanks!

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      Amy Gosz
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      • MarkShnier__You's avatar
        MarkShnier__You
        Icon for Qrew Legend rankQrew Legend
        6 years ago
        well, you could chnage the formiula to allow and override fild be taken into account

        like

        if([override field populated by Automation]<>"",[override field populated by Automation], else formula goes here)

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