Incrementing a field values based off another field's content.

Question

Hello,I'm currently working on a project where many tables have relationships and require automation features. For instance, if a user selects an option from a lookup field, [Field X], in Table X, then in doing so, [Field Y] will increment in another separate table, Table Y.My design right now is built on a set of reference tables that can be utilized in an operations table. My goal is to "trigger" events such as the one described above to reduce clutter in the operations table. I can provide screenshots and table data/field info if the structure of my app is not sufficiently described. All of the data are just filler to work on functionality.Many thanks,Gabe

markshnier__you · Answer

In general you can use pipelines to automate functions but without knowing more about your app and it's purpose, on the surface I would have to question why you need to increment counters in another table.

For example if you wanted to know how many times a particular record was created where a certain look up field was chosen, you can easily run reports for that or create summary fields for that.

So I would just caution you that maybe you want to be using summary fields and not fancy automated processes using pipelines

gabe · Answer

Hello Mark,Thank you for your insight. I'll take a look into pipelines more. The main purpose of the automation is to track the number of times a tool undergoes a cycle for our process.I am using an existing record in the reference table to represent an "object" with its "fields" as properties of sorts. When a record in the operations table is modified, the reference/"object" table receives a trigger from operations to increment its [Cycle #] field depending on the reference field changed.Let me provide a flow chart that can shed light on my line of thought.

markshnier__you · Answer

Can you tell me the names of your tables and their relationships?&nbsp; &nbsp;Which is the One side and which is the Many side?&nbsp;For example one Machine has many Cycle records?

gabe · Answer

Above is the basic overview of what I'm trying to achieve. I've tried one-to-many and many-to-many relationships without using the pipelines feature yet. The tables pictured both have many-to-many relationships as I was testing reference field functionality and trying to use formulas/form rules to increment some numeric field to write to the Boat [Cycle #] field.Please let me know if you need anything else.

markshnier__you · Answer

I believe that you are saying that you have a relationship where 1 Boat has many Lots.Just edit that relationship and add a summary field on the left side to count the # of Lots.&nbsp; There is no need for any extra "automated" functions like a Pipeline.&nbsp;&nbsp;You can also have multiple summary fields if you wanted to know how many Lots that Boat has in the last month or last running 12 months, for example.

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Incrementing a field values based off another field's content.