Can Pathagoras automatically rescan my documents for 'new' variables after I call up an existing record.

Yes. A bit more explanation. When a user clicks on 'Existing Records' in the upper left side of the Instant Database screen, only those variables that were 'seen' in previous sessions will be included in the list. But the new document may have additional variables not yet in the database.

Pathagoras can be set to automatically rescan the document. Just click the AutoRescan button in the Instant Database "Settings & Options" screen. (This is difference from AutoScan. AutoScan scans a document for all variables as soon as the document is assembled. AutoRescan scans the document for new variables only after you call up an existing record.)