Understanding Your Data Model › Using Relations › Refers to Relation

Refers to Relation

The Refers to relation specifies that a file references another file. A Refers to relation is resolved by including the identifiers (keys) of the referenced file into the referring file as foreign key fields.

The Refers to relation allows access to any of the fields on the referred to file from the referring file. If a field is accessed on the referred to file, it creates a virtual field on the referring file. Virtual field values can be used but cannot be updated.

A virtual field is logically present in a view of a file, though it physically resides in another file.

See the chapter "Maintaining Your Data Model" for more information on virtual fields.

A Refers to relation can have a For text extension to further clarify its description.

For more information on using For text and Sharing with Refers to relations, see the section Using For text and Sharing with Relations.

The Refers to relation can be contrasted with the Includes relation, which includes all fields from the referenced file, and with the Owned by relation, which is resolved into key entries on the owned file.

Note: Up to 60 Refers to relations can be placed on a file.