Backend workflow or API connector to calc/re-calculate a total?

Questions
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Hi all, I think it’s time to build a backend workflow that calculates / re-calculates totals anytime variables across several data-types changes. Think of an estimate for a project containing such things as Labor, Materials, Vendor costs etc. To clarify, I have many sub-totals in many categories that all culminate into a grand total etc.

Currently, I have a popup element functioning as a “worksheet” that I use as a target for many of these calculations. I know it could be streamlined further, however, I think that effort would be better spend moving it to a backend workflow?

As I understand it, however, there may be a couple of ways to return data from a backend workflow? I’m just not sure what method is better for this kind of operation? Using the API Connector or APP Connector?

Any insight will be much appreciated.

1 Like
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API connector is better than App connector…

Depends on what this is for and if the calculations ever are changed without user involvement…to me the concept of worksheet implies a human is using it and the calculations can all be done right there on the screen.

are these changes of related data types in which a user might not be working on all data types at once, in the sense that the worksheet doesn’t show all data type values in real time to the user?

This to me sounds like everything should be shown in real time to the user on the worksheet and able to be calculated and totaled on the page itself.

3

I apologize @boston85719 for such a late response.

  1. Yes, other users could be making changes to the worksheet not necessarily at the same time?
  2. The calculations are spread across many data types and, at times will affect the total’s in the constituent parts as well as the whole. Think about value engineering a project by adjusting - adding - removing fees, hours and or materials etc etc.
  3. If I can figure out how to get a reusable element in a repeating group to register a simple yes/no on the main page I can finally implement a “master trigger” in all the critical places. This would trigger the worksheet kept in one location and viewed via a popup as needed.
  4. If this works I’m hoping it may become a non-issue? And, I’m pleased to hear that you, from the sounds of it, may not be entirely convinced a backend workflow is necessary either?