Force a update to trigger all records.

I updated my database to better automate a few things.  However, one of the updates included creating a new field with a trigger option.  It uses data already in each record, but I was wondering if there was a way to force all records to update in a way to trigger the action.  I have tried to mass update records and change a "dummy" category but that didn't work.  I tried to do a table edit and drag an update down all records, I have tried clicking on the update link, but nothing works.