Database Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 4-2. The Specify Calculation window lets you write a formula that's attached to a
calculation field. You can perform calculations on text, number, date, time, timestamp, or
container fields and get results of each of those types, too. The option “Do not evaluate if
all referenced fields are empty” can speed up your database, because FileMaker doesn't
have to try to calculate a value if data is missing from all the fields that make up the calcu-
lation.
NOTE
Number is automatically selected for the “Calculation result.” But if you create several cal-
culation fields in one session, the default result type changes to match the last type you cre-
ated. You should always check this setting when you're creating calculations, since some
calculations don't work as you intend if the calculation result type isn't set properly. You'll
see one such example in the next tutorial.
7.
Click OK and then OK again to close both windows
.
Depending on the settings in your Preferences window, you may not see the new cal-
culation field appear immediately on your layout.
