The Field Dependencies feature allows you to identify all the places where a column is used in a notebook: views, formulas, automations, linked columns, etc.
It is useful for:
analyzing the impact of a change
understanding why a field cannot be deleted
quickly navigating to the elements that use this field
What is a field dependency?
A field dependency occurs when a field is reused in another configuration of the workspace.
Accessing the “Field Dependencies” window
From a workspace table
Click on edit in the field settings → to open the column configuration window.
Then click the chain icon
at the top right of the window → to display field dependencies.
Structure of the dependencies window
When you open a field's dependencies, the window is structured as follows:
→ Workspace name with the number of dependencies for this field in the workspace.
Level 1: table
- table icon
- table name
- number in parentheses indicating the total number of dependencies for this field in this table.
Level 2: dependency categories
When expanding the table using the chevron, you will see several possible categories, each with a counter showing the number of dependencies in that category:
- Sorts of views using this field.
- Filters of views using this field.
- Views using this field in their configuration (e.g., date field in a calendar view, field used in a timeline, kanban, map view, etc.)
- Formulas using this field in calculations.
- Selection columns from another table relying on this field.
- Linked table columns, reference fields created from a link to another table.
- Automations reading or updating this field.
Level 3: individual items
By expanding each category, you can access the list of individual elements:
- For views: name of the view (e.g., Calendar, Timeline, Kanban, Map, Gantt, etc.).
- For formulas: name of the formula column.
- For automations: name of the automation rule.
- For linked table columns: name of the reference column.
Navigating from the dependencies window
From the dependencies window, it is possible to navigate directly to the elements that use the field.
- Clicking the gear icon of a view, formula, or automation opens its configuration window.
- Clicking the table icon brings you to the table listing the dependencies.
View field dependencies in the Field Organization menu.
- Access the Field Dependencies view from the Organize Fields menu.
- Open the Table and Views menu to display advanced options.
- Select Organize Fields to centralize the column view.
- Click the icon for each column.
Dependency recalculation
Dependencies are recalculated when you open the window:
- when you open the Field Dependencies window
- when you attempt to delete a field
Blocking the deletion of a field with dependencies
When a field is used elsewhere, TimeTonic blocks its deletion and displays a warning message.
- A window indicates that the field cannot be deleted because it is used elsewhere.
- This window also displays the list of dependencies using the same structure as the standard dependencies window.