Question

Object x has a lookup field to Object Y. X needs to display a text field on Y. To ensure data integrity, how would a developer implement this?

1) Create a cross-object formula field on Object x that retrieves the value from Y.
2) Create a text field on Object X and use Apex to populate the value.
3) Create a rollup summary field on Object X that retrieves the value from Y.
4) Create a text field on Object x and use a workflow rule to fill in the value upon the creation of X.

Answer 1

To ensure data integrity when displaying a text field from Object Y on Object X, a cross-object formula field should be created on Object X.

Step-by-step explanation:

If Object X has a lookup field to Object Y and X needs to display a text field from Y to ensure data integrity, the developer should create a cross-object formula field on Object X that retrieves the value from Y. This approach does not require any coding and maintains real-time accuracy of data by automatically displaying the current value of the text field from Object Y on Object X. Rollup summary fields are used to perform calculations on child records and hence are not applicable in this context. Using Apex or a workflow rule to copy the text field's value from Object Y to a text field on Object X requires additional configuration and can lead to data integrity issues if not properly maintained.