Cascading deletes and relationship delete options

Expert

Configure relationships to automatically delete related records when the parent is deleted, and understand the risks of enabling this option.

What you'll learn

How to enable cascade delete on a relationship
The risks and safeguards needed when cascade delete is on
An alternative pattern using a script to perform controlled cascade deletes

FileMaker relationships can be configured to automatically delete all related records when the parent record is deleted. This "cascade delete" option is convenient but irreversible and easy to trigger accidentally. Understanding when to enable it and how to protect against accidental deletion is essential for data integrity.

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Enabling cascade delete

In the Edit Relationship dialog, check "Delete related records in this table when a record is deleted in the other table" on the related-table side. This applies when the parent is deleted in the table on the other side.

FileMaker Script

// Edit Relationship: Invoices → LineItems
// On the LineItems side:
// ☑ Delete related records in this table when a record
//   is deleted in the other table

// Effect: deleting an Invoice automatically deletes
// all LineItems with a matching InvoiceId