Signs Your Data Model Was Built Wrong
The signs your data model is wrong appear months after the build, which is what makes them expensive. Each one is cheap to fix early and painful later.
The symptoms
They look like usability problems and are actually structural ones.
- Selection lists showing numbers instead of names
- Formulas that will not calculate, because values are text
- The same client entered several times, in slightly different ways
- Records in two states at once, because tags were used for status
- Boards that cannot be built, because the field type does not allow it
What each one indicates
| Symptom | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Numbers in selection lists | The label field is an ID | Set the name as the label |
| Formulas not calculating | Values stored as text | Use currency or number fields |
| Duplicate entities | Data copied rather than connected | Use connected fields |
| Two states at once | Tags used for status | Use single select |
How to fix it in Jestor
- Open the related table in Jestor and set the name field as the label.
- Change value fields to currency, so formulas and thresholds work.
- Replace copied details with connected fields pointing at the core entity.
- Use single select for anything driving a Kanban, since a card sits in one column.
- Fix these before record volume grows, since the cost rises with it.
Why choose Jestor for correctable structures?
Jestor makes most of these reversible — field types can change, labels can be reset — but the effort scales with the number of records, which is why early review matters.
The table history and the recycle bin cover the rest: a correction that goes wrong is traceable and recoverable rather than final.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my connected fields show numbers?
The label is set to an ID field. See jestor.com.
Can I change a field type later?
Yes, though the cost rises with record volume.
Why not use tags for status?
Tags allow several values; a status should allow one.
Video Tutorial: Step by Step
Check out other practical tutorials on the Jestor YouTube channel.
Get to know Jestor
With Jestor, you can automate workflows, connect teams, and build internal systems your way — all without code and powered by AI. Discover Jestor at jestor.com and see how to take your company's operations to a new level of efficiency and control.