Track: Technical
Shaking the Dependency Tree - part 2 of 2
Presented By:
Darren Terry
Darren Terry
Pacific Data Management,Inc.
San Jose, CA
Have you ever found yourself wondering why FileMaker failed to make a calculation result update itself? If so, you're not alone. The calculation engine is exposed to us in many ways (not just calculation fields in Manage Database), and the rules for when FileMaker updates calculation results are called the calculation dependency tree.

This session will explain why some calcs refresh automatically and others don't. This session contains essential knowledge for anyone building complex, performant FileMaker solutions. It's a must-know for building fast, reliable FileMaker apps.

Topics to be discussed in Part II:

• Layout Calculations
• Conditional Formatting
• Custom Functions
• Web Viewer
• Filtered Portals
• Calculated Custom Menus/Menu Items
• Conditional Visibility (Hide Conditions)
• Calculations in Scripts
• Tool Tips
• Record-level Access Privileges (if time permits)
• Chart objects (if time permits)

When most people think of "calculations" in FileMaker, they think of defined fields. But the calculation engine is exposed to us in so many other ways. This session will walk through the bulk of those other ways, to discuss exactly how and when FileMaker will re-evaluate the result of a calculation.

This will be an interactive session. I fully expect questions and diversions as we go along.

The Full Access 2026 Premium Experience

Price: + $600

  • Seamless Arrival: Custom pickup from SFO or the JRC upon your arrival.

  • 🍽️ Exclusive Luncheon: An invitation to join the production team for a pre-setup luncheon at a popular Los Altos restaurant at 11 AM on Wednesday, August 5.

  • 🎥 Behind the Scenes: Exclusive opportunity to hang out with the production team the night before the event (and even lend a hand if you want to see how the magic happens!).

  • 🏨 Extended Stay: One extra night at the JRC (August 5, 2026), including dinner that evening and breakfast the next morning.

  • 🍫 Special Delivery: A curated treat waiting for you in your sleeping room.

  • ✈️ Stress-Free Departure: Custom delivery back to SFO or the JRC when you’re ready to head home.

Enter the coupon code below to ugrade your Single Registration.

PREMIUM