Column formula based on Virtual Column not updated

[betechfriendly]

Hi,

I am trying to update value of a column based on the value of a virtual column, However, the value doesn't get updated or reflected when virtual column is updated.

Given below, `Total` is the column present in the db and `_vTotal` is a virtual column. Whenever, _vTotal gets updated, I want the `Total` field to be updated as well.

Some may say that why not use Formula as in `_vTotal` within the `Total`, the problem with that is => calculating the `Total` takes tens of seconds and if the user makes any edit in the meantime, it stops the computation and leaves the value of `Total` in an wrong state where the real value is not reflected in the `Total` column. Despite trying to refresh multiple times, the real value is not updated.

[rbucsis]

I'm guessing the issue is that Physical columns, like [Total] only update on row edits, so you would have to physically go and edit that row to get the update. Meanwhile Virtual columns like [_vTotal] always update, but that doesn't necessarily reflect in the physical column until an edit is made.

It's unclear why you would need both, though. You already have the [_vTotal] column, why not just reference that for everything and get rid of the [Total] column altogether? Especially since you want to see it updated in real time, using a Virtual column is the way to go.

[betechfriendly]

> It's unclear why you would need both, though.

I also want to save the computed value in the db for future references. With virtual column I cannot do so. That's why I wanted to use virtual column.

[rbucsis · Accepted solution]

Understood! Makes sense. Still though, the physical columns will only update on edits to that row. You could add an "Updated" column, and then any time you make a change on another table that should update that row, you can just update the "Updated" column with an action. That should refresh it.