This is an issue that I have faced for a few months now, and support has not been able to rectify it despite several suggestions. Essentially, equations (basic formula, Equation V1, Equation V2) will randomly freeze up and stop calculating on individual records (displaying a zero or a blank). In other words, I can create 500 records and 60 will freeze. This happens with imports and entering records individually. The only way to fix the issue is to resave the equation in the editor.
Here is an example. The basic Formula “Pull Code” reads a connection value “Program Code.” The pull code is then used by “Valid 2” to make sure that a 7 digit # is valid. In this scenario “pull code” has failed on 60 records causing “valid 2” to flag records as errors incorrectly. https://youtu.be/t-rpbdhY2d0
A bigger issue is that we use equations to recode survey responses to a numeric value (eg male = 0 and female = 1) so we can complete data analysis off-platform. As previously stated, when the equations freeze, they display a zero which can skew sample results and make it impossible to detect when an equation has frozen. We are locked into the numeric labeling convention since we have 10+ years worth of data labeled this way.
I have felt like I have had to play wack-a-mole with this bug and am desperate for a solution.
Honestly, I’ve given up on equations. I’m lucky that I’m still pretty early in my apps development so I can work around it, but my going solution at this time is to use a summary card on the page itself if I need to do roll-ups or calculations across records or connected records, then extract that value from the page and update the base if needed with javascript.
The best solution I can think of for you is to use record rules to set a separate value instead of relying on equations. For instance: If gender = male → genderData = 0, if gender = female → genderData = 1, as an example.
I’ve had major issues with formulas and equations for some time now. Some equations will not update at all without manual stimulation, meaning I have to open the formula field and then click save.
I assumed based on the “scheduled formulas” from their Tuesday emails that they had just moved it to the Elite plan.
An update on this. Not quite to your specific situation but some of my own findings which I hope are helpful:
When you add connected records using Record Rules, the connected records will not update equations. (in my case, rollups)
You can get around this by adding a tadabase API call pipe on record creation that makes a non-change to the record, forcing an update. This however limits you by Tadabases dreadful API call limits.
I’ve got an open ticket with support to see if there is a better way to force updates from form submissions on the insertion of connected records.
I have had much better luck with the new equation engine that was released. I have only had one or two instances of frozen equations that I have noticed since they released it.