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June 29, 2023
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Error Updated Calculated Field

  • June 29, 2023
  • 2 replies
  • 2192 views

Hi all,

 

Whilst updating a calculated field had an error I get the following error "field name is used in a multi-form configuration, if you would like to change this formula you will need to remove this field and replace it with a new one containing the desired calculation"

The field is used in a lot of other custom forms which are then used in project templates, does the error message mean that there is a template/s which have more than one custom form which each uses this calculated field? If so, is there an easy way of determining with the templates are?

 

I can't simply create a new field as the existing one is used a great deal across our Workfront instance. 

 

Thanks in advance. 


Best answer by Madalyn_Destafney

You're not going to love the answer to this, but this has been my experience with updating a calculated field that is used in multiple custom forms - and when I had worked with WF Support on this, they had confirmed (as of less than a year ago). 

When you have a regular custom form field and you edit that field, the edit will show in that field anywhere it's used, which WF warns you about within the custom form area (i.e. changing a field called Note to Notes will make it show as Notes anywhere it's used). However, for calculations in calculated fields, this unfortunately doesn't change dynamically across everywhere it's used. You will need to
- Set aside time you can do this in 1 sitting so you're not without this field for long on forms.
- Remove the calculated field from all but 1 form

- Revise your calculation in the calculated field in the one form, copy the updated calculation, save.

- Add the calculated field back to the other forms (one at a time and save), pasting the updated calculation directly from copying it above to prevent any discrepancy. 

This is a pain if you have several forms with the calculated field and what I had to do and WF had confirmed (so therefore I tried to update this field as little as possible), but if someone else has another way, chime in!

If you found this helpful, please mark correct to help others : )

2 replies

Madalyn_Destafney
Community Advisor
Madalyn_DestafneyCommunity AdvisorAccepted solution
Community Advisor
June 29, 2023

You're not going to love the answer to this, but this has been my experience with updating a calculated field that is used in multiple custom forms - and when I had worked with WF Support on this, they had confirmed (as of less than a year ago). 

When you have a regular custom form field and you edit that field, the edit will show in that field anywhere it's used, which WF warns you about within the custom form area (i.e. changing a field called Note to Notes will make it show as Notes anywhere it's used). However, for calculations in calculated fields, this unfortunately doesn't change dynamically across everywhere it's used. You will need to
- Set aside time you can do this in 1 sitting so you're not without this field for long on forms.
- Remove the calculated field from all but 1 form

- Revise your calculation in the calculated field in the one form, copy the updated calculation, save.

- Add the calculated field back to the other forms (one at a time and save), pasting the updated calculation directly from copying it above to prevent any discrepancy. 

This is a pain if you have several forms with the calculated field and what I had to do and WF had confirmed (so therefore I tried to update this field as little as possible), but if someone else has another way, chime in!

If you found this helpful, please mark correct to help others : )

If this helped you, please mark correct to help others : )
markTwoAuthor
June 29, 2023

Thank you so much for your answer, whilst not great news, at least I know how to solve the issue. Wish me luck as I may be gone some time working my way through the custom forms. 

Community Advisor
July 5, 2023

Been there! I used this solution from Doug Den Hoed  Tunnel Of Death: How To Find A Form With Two Specific Custom Forms On It to fix this issue in my instance. More than once 🙃

Doug_Den_Hoed__AtAppStore
Community Advisor
Community Advisor
July 5, 2023

 

Hahah — thanks @sheri_whitten,

 

I bet I’ve searched for that Tunnel Of Death phrase a dozen times since it was coined, too!

 

One of these days I’m going to create a 1:1 calc parm (eg with the form name as the calc) for every form in an instance; wouldn’t that be luxurious!

 

Regards,

Doug