Calculation widget results are being updated in one step delay!

  • arielyem
    Asked on June 17, 2017 at 12:52 AM

    Hi,

    I found a problem with my form.

    While using the calculation widgets, i found that the some results are calculated in one step delay and do not respond immediately for different input selection.

    For example. by selecting different options from the drop down "Roof azimuth" in my form, some calculation results above do not update immediately. For example the "Payments as low as" in my form.

    But if i use the Page Break widget by selecting "Back" option and afterword "Next", the results in the calculation filed (Payments as low as in this example) is being update correctly.

    Also, when I use different type of widgets, such as not related drop-down or check box widgets the correct calculation widgets are updated correctly.

    In other hand, if i'm selecting one by one different options from the drop down list ("Roof azimuth" in this example), the results are being updated but according to the previous selection, not to the correct last one.

    I tried the setting "clear catch" options, but it didn't solve the problem.

    I succeed to solve some of the calculation widgets cells, by delete them and re-create them again.

    Unfortunately, i couldn't solve all of of the calculation widgets problem.

    I need your help!

    Thanks

    Ariel

    Jotform Thread 1176210 Screenshot
  • Nik_C
    Replied on June 17, 2017 at 4:53 AM

    I tested your form several times, but I wasn't able to replicate this issue, at least I'm not completely sure:

    Calculation widget results are being updated in one step delay! Image 1 Screenshot 40

    The prices are changing with each selection.

    I'm not sure if I choose the proper options, I selected like below on the first page:

    Calculation widget results are being updated in one step delay! Image 2 Screenshot 51

    And like this on the second:

    Calculation widget results are being updated in one step delay! Image 3 Screenshot 62

    If the issue persists, could you please point us to the right drop-downs so we can try to replicate this problem.

    We'll wait for your response.

    Thank you!

  • arielyem
    Replied on June 18, 2017 at 12:40 AM

    Hi,

    Thank you for your responsible answer.

    Yes, some of the results are responding correctly, but some others response in one step delay.

    Please follow this steps:

    Enter the from

    Click "Solar price Discovery"

    Enter zip code 91356 and select utility "LADWP"

    Review the "System Size". Results are showing 4.5KW-DC.

    Now, Select the check box "Advanced Online" at the bottom of the page.

    Select "Site Evaluation" from the drop-down list.

    Scroll down and change the "Roof Azimuth" from "East-West" to "South-North"

    Check the "System Size" in the results above.

    The "System Size" results haven't change!!!

    Now, select select "Back" at the bottom of the page.

    And click "Solar Price Discovery" again.

    Check the "System Size" results. The results have been changed correctly.

     

    Another way to see the problem,

    If you refresh the page and start it over, skip on clicking the "Back" bottom and continue as follow:

    Change the "Roof Azimuth" from "East-West" to "South-North"

    The results of the "System Size" calculation filed aren't changing for the first time (Result is 4.5KW-DC)

    Now change the "Roof Azimuth" to "East-West"

    The results of the "System Size" do change (4.8KW-DC) but it is incorrect. The results (4.8KW-DC) belong to the previous "South-North" selection.

    If you continue change it from "East-West" to "South-East" to "East-West", anytime the "System Size" calculation results belong to previous selection, unless you click "Back" bottom as described above, or select any second drop-down options.

    The same problem occur in some other cells too.

    I do solved some calculation fields by delete them and re-build them, but i couldn't solved them all.

     

    Waiting for your reply, Thank you!

  • Welvin Support Team Lead
    Replied on June 18, 2017 at 3:52 AM

    The result requires a trigger. If you'll check the checkbox option "How to find azimuth?", it triggers the correct calculation with the need to click the back and next buttons. I'm checking this further. I'll let you know. 

  • Welvin Support Team Lead
    Replied on June 18, 2017 at 4:09 AM

    I have checked the Ignore Hidden fields, that seems to have fixed the problem. Can you check and confirm?

    Calculation widget results are being updated in one step delay! Image 1 Screenshot 20

  • arielyem
    Replied on June 18, 2017 at 5:14 AM

    Hi, Thanks for your reply,

    I did so, it isn't working.

    Please remember to refresh the page, and start it over.

    The results in the calculation fields "System Size" always calculated by the previous selection, unless you are using additional trigger, and it isn't working for the first time drop-down selection as described above, any further selection is calculated by previous drop-down selection, not the right one.

    Also, please note that the form loading time increase dramatically with no reason.

    Please help

    Thanks

     

     

  • arielyem
    Replied on June 18, 2017 at 5:43 AM
    Hi,
    Thanks for your reply.
    From some reason the form isn't loaded in preview or in my website.
    Can you check it?
    Thanks
    Ariel Y. | Solar Energy Consultant
    SolarPriceDiscovery.com | Tel 844-607-6527
    Ariel@SolarPriceDiscovery.com | Cell 747-998-8174
    ...
  • Mike_G JotForm Support
    Replied on June 18, 2017 at 11:53 AM

    We would like to apologize for any inconvenience this is causing you, however, the loading issue your form is having is caused by conflicts in the conditions and/or Form Calculation widgets. I was able to reproduce the loading issue you are having with a clone version of your form on my account. I tried disabling all the conditions in the clone version and it loaded the form successfully without any issues.

    I inspected some of the conditoins in the form and noticed that you are trying to update a Form Calculation field conditionally that has its own computation set within it. One good example of this is the "N Solar Panels" Form Calculation widget.

    Calculation widget results are being updated in one step delay! Image 1 Screenshot 40

    Another issue I've noticed is the how the dollar sign ($) is set in some of the Form Calculation widgets in your form. If the dollar sign is set as a number instead of a text it creates conflict in the computation. The Form Calculation widget, "Price", also has the dollar sign set as a number instead of a text.

    Calculation widget results are being updated in one step delay! Image 2 Screenshot 51

    I would suggest that if the calculations in your form is based on a condition or would require you to apply condition, use a regular textbox field or a number field instead of a Form Calculation widget.

    Conditional-Logic-Inserts-Text-Calculation-Into-A-Field

    Also, you can remove the calculation values set in the Solar Panels drop-down field since based on the condition associated with it, you are just trying to copy the selected option of that field into other 4 different drop-down fields and calculation values won't be necessary if that is the case.

    Calculation widget results are being updated in one step delay! Image 3 Screenshot 62

    I hope these findings will help you solve not only the loading issue but also the delayed in the results of the Form Calculation widgets in your form. Otherwise, please feel free to contact us again anytime.

  • arielyem
    Replied on June 18, 2017 at 4:03 PM

    Hi,

    I'm still facing problem to load my form, there is still some conflict.

    Please help.

    I will try to follow your suggestion afterword.

    Please also note, that the "$" sign is changing from text to a number by itself and from time to time.

    The loading issue doesn't exist in the clone form, but i do not want to change the form in my website after it already recognized by the SEO.

    I'll try to change the calculation fields to a number or text filed after solving the unexpected loading issue, and i'll let you know if it works.

    Waiting for your response.

    Thanks

  • Mike_G JotForm Support
    Replied on June 18, 2017 at 4:43 PM

    We will be glad to help you with your concern. And I would suggest you try to disable all the conditions in your form first and inspect each of it before enabling all of it again. However, if you're having issues disabling all the conditions in your form please let us know. We can try to do it for you on our end with your permission. We can also try to fix the issue you're having with the dollar sign ($).

    We will wait for your response.

  • arielyem
    Replied on June 19, 2017 at 2:33 AM

    Hi, Thanks for your reply.

    I follow your suggestions, and finally i found the problematic "Hide Condition".

    I delete it and the form return to live. Thanks!

    Unfortunately, i couldn't solve the previous problem, some calculation fields ("System Size" in the example above) are still do not respond for the first time of changing drop-down widget. It is do respond to the second time of the drop-down selection but it is return the first time drop-down widget selection results!

    I face another critical issue, that wasn't exist before, and it might related to this problem.

    Please follow this steps:

     

     

    Calculation widget results are being updated in one step delay! Image 1 Screenshot 20

     

     

    After step 4, some of the selected drop-down changed back to the defaults values, and some did not change. The drop-down widgets that had been changed back, are the same drop-down widgets that have wrong calculation widgets results that are mentioned above.

    I'm waiting for your reply.

    Thank you!

  • Charlie
    Replied on June 19, 2017 at 6:10 AM

    Hi,

    I'm checking your form and I see there's still a condition with an error on it. 

    Calculation widget results are being updated in one step delay! Image 1 Screenshot 30

     

    For the calculations that you have, the problem is that you have a lot of underlying factors in a target calculation. Here's an example:

    IF Text box 1 is FILLED

    THEN insert 1 to Text box 2

    IF Text box 2 is FILLED

    THEN insert 2 to Text box 3

     

    The problem with the above example is Text box 2 doesn't trigger automatically by simply receiving a value from Text box 1, hence Text box 3 will not update. This is not absolutely the case to all, there are other factors like if the widget has its own calculation and you are using another condition to insert a new value. Another is that if they are dependent on hidden fields that constantly changes. Another factor is the order of the events, in your case, the "System Size" is somewhat dependent on a previous field and is also dependent on field after it, which makes the behavior more complicated. 

    Here's an example in your case:

    "System Size" is dependent on two things:

    - N Solar Panels

    - STC Size

    "N Solar Panels" is dependent on two things:

    - It's own calculation

    - And a condition logic that inserts a value based on "Select number of solar panels" field. 

    "STC Size" is dependent on:

    - if "Solar Panels" field is filled using conditions. Note that this field is AFTER "System Size" field, so it needs to refer back to the old field. 

     

    You can see that the prerequisites of "System Size" is dependent on fields that also has prerequisites. Making the triggers delay or halt at some point if there's no action is coming from the user.

     

    Here are my suggestions:

    1. First, correct the error in the conditions. 

    2. Not sure how "N Solar Panels" should work, it has it's own calculation but it also receives a value in the "Select number of solar panels field"?

    3. Hidden fields that is needed in your calculations should be placed at the bottom of your form. Why? This is to make sure that the order of requirements would match the behaviors in your form fields. 

    Calculation widget results are being updated in one step delay! Image 2 Screenshot 41

     

    4. Instead of using HIDE in your conditions, I suggest using the action "SHOW". If you use the action "SHOW", you don't need to use the action "HIDE", the field using the "SHOW" action will automatically hide the field if the condition is not met. Example:

    IF Text box 1 is FILLED THEN SHOW Text Box 2. 

    This condition will only show text box 2 if it is true, if the condition is not met, then text box 2 is automatically hidden. 

     

    Now I cannot guarantee that the above suggestions will fix the problem, especially if the fields are still dependent on multiple things, but those are the best practices that I can think of for forms with complex behaviors. I suggest cloning the form and apply those suggestions on a cloned form instead. See if it somehow improves the behavior and calculations of your form.

    Let us know if that works.

  • arielyem
    Replied on June 23, 2017 at 1:29 PM

    Thanks,

    Update, I rebuild the form from zero.

    Most of the issues solved, but some calculation fields, other than mentioned above had the same problem.

    I decided to deduct one step of calculation fields that is connected to additional calculation fields and i solved it. 

    Thanks

  • Welvin Support Team Lead
    Replied on June 23, 2017 at 2:59 PM

    We're glad that you are all set now. Please let us know if you still need our help wit the form conditions.