Appsheet VERY Slow to save changes.

AppSheet AppSheet Q&A
1

Do you also experience this? What would be the possible reason for this. I do not have any Google sheet formulas it’s more on virtual columns

2

Yes, this is a common observation! Virtual columns, especially those using complex expressions, often impact app performance, particularly during syncs.

  • On-Demand Calculation
    Unlike regular columns stored in your data source, virtual columns are computed every time they’re needed, during syncs or when a view loads. These calculations happen on the user’s device or in the cloud.

  • Expression Complexity
    The more complex the expression, the longer it takes to compute. Heavy use of functions like SELECT() and FILTER() can significantly slow performance, especially with large tables.

  • Dereferences and List Operations

    • Dereference expressions (e.g., [RefColumn].[Column]) are efficient individually, but repeated use across many rows adds overhead.

    • List functions like SUM() or COUNT() over large datasets are also resource-intensive.

  • Number of Virtual Columns
    Even simple virtual columns add up. Having many of them increases total calculation load.

  • Data Volume
    Larger tables mean more rows to process, which amplifies the cost of each SELECT() or FILTER() expression.

  • Sync Behavior
    Virtual columns are always recalculated during syncs. If your app includes many expression-heavy virtual columns, sync times will naturally increase, regardless of the backend database.

To evaluate impact, visit the Monitor section in AppSheet to review performance analytics for virtual columns.

1 Like