Display field calculated from data

[ChrisB2]

Hello!  I have some Power Apps experience, but I am currently evaluating Power Pages.  I need some help with some calculated fields, columns, or the best place to perform some simple math on other database fields.

I originally developed a solution in PowerApps and it satisfied my needs but I need to allow outside users to access the data.

Basically, I am building a balancing site for a given day. 

On the summary page for a given date, there will be one or more control fields that can be added up to a total (math field 1) and one or more sample fields (in the same table or a different one) that will be added up to a total (math field 2).  Currently, these fields will be entered into a Dataverse table from a PowerShell script.  If they are in balance, I’d like to show the end user (in a textbox) that the difference is $0 (math field 3).  If it is out of balance, I plan to add the ability to have ‘open’ adjustments (one or more amounts – positive or negative) that will be in a separate table that when added together would give a value that would bring the balance to zero (math field 4).

What is the best approach within Power Pages to have these ‘math fields’?  Would it be using ‘calculated columns’ with Power Automate triggers into when the first data is entered or when adjustments change?  Or am I missing how to insert an independent field and perform math on database fields (this is what I did in PowerApps)?

Thanks in advance for any help you may provide!

[OliverRodrigues]

Hello, I find a bit unusual to enter data to Dataverse via PowerShell, is that the requirement or can you explain the reasoning behind this?

Calculated columns can be a good option here, since you can create your logic for field calculation via low-code configuration, there is no need to trigger cloud flows for this.
The only issue here is that this solution doesn't happen in real-time, by definition, calculated fields actually take a while to execute.
A few points:
- is the delay on the calculation a big issue for your requirement? you can create a plugin that will force the calculation to happen
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-apps/developer/data-platform/calculated-rollup-attributes

https://forwardforever.com/how-to-update-calculated-columns-in-dataverse-instantly-with-power-automa...

- alternatively you can create a plugin (sync) for the entirely logic, but it might involve more c# code
- I haven't tried for this type of functionality, but have you considered low-code plug-ins?
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-apps/maker/data-platform/low-code-plug-ins?tabs=instant

[ChrisB2]

Oliver, thank you for your response!  A couple of answers:

1) The PowerShell component is used for some automation (extracting data out of various PDF, Excel and text  reports and adding them into the Dataverse table(s)).

2) The delay on calculation is an issue, but I have not heard about low code plug ins!  After a quick read, it looks like I would want an 'automated' plug-in but the it says it doesn't support parameters.  Do you happen to know what defines a 'parameter' in this instance?

Appreciate it,

Chris

[OliverRodrigues]

Apologies for the delay.

Automated plugins don't support input parameter, but this is the same idea as standard plugins really.

Basically an automated low-code plugin will be tied to an event of a table, for example the creation of an Account record, the record itself is part of the plug-in context, you don't really need any input parameter because you already have access to the account.

hope this makes sense.