Moving singular cell data into a sheet from a master sheet with autonomy?

Tyler Zimmerman

I am sure this has been asked before, but I have scoured many forums and attempted many solutions but to no avail.

My issue: I have a sheet (let's call it master) that holds metadata. I also have another sheet (let's call it Department) that relies on a single piece of metadata from Master, but also requires the ability to edit Department unique column data. Without importing the entire row, and ultimately importing every column, I have not been able to bring over the ONLY cell that I need to feed the data into Department from Master.

Parameters: There are three parameters (P1, P2, P3) that need met for this single piece of data (UID) (from Master) to justify import into Department. If P1, P2, and P3 are all met, I need the UID to be autonomously recognized and imported into the Department sheet. The UID cells in the Department sheet feed the subsequent column's fields with the data via a VLOOKUP to the Master sheet and works perfectly.

Solutions I have tried: Creating a report based on both sheets, but the Master does not contain the unique Department columns so they now become uneditable in the report. I have tried a helper sheet for automation purposes where the Master sheet feeds the relevant rows to the feeder automation sheet but the row issue, as aforementioned, still persists on import into the Department sheet.

Notes: I realize that, probably, the simplest solution would be to establish an automation from Master -> Department of every new row created that meets my parameters and hide the unwanted columns, but for the purposes of reducing redundancy, I want ONLY the UID to be imported autonomously. I feel like I am constantly repeating myself in this post, so I apologize in advance. I am beyond flustered and confused with getting this to work without data mesh (since our org does not have the capabilities at this time). I am also about three months into SmartSheet learning and operation, and being the only one in the org that is responsible for sheet, report, and dashboard production, I need this done but am at a complete loss.

Any help is appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Paul Newcome

Are you able to provide some screenshots for context?

Andrée Starå

Hi @Tyler Zimmerman

I hope you're well and safe!

You could use cross-sheet formulas combined with either a VLOOKUP or INDEX/MATCH structure to connect the sheets, and when you update the source sheet, it will reflect on the destination sheet.

Another option would be to use so-called helper sheets. In short, copy the row to a helper sheet and then use my method described previously to get the values you need to another helper sheet and then copy/move the row from that sheet to the main destination sheet.

To connect them row by row, you could use an Autonumber Column in the Source sheet and add a so-called helper column to manually add the row id on as many rows as you need in the Destination sheet.

Would any of those options work/help?

I hope that helps!

Be safe, and have a fantastic week!

Best,

Andrée Starå | Workflow Consultant / CEO @ WORK BOLD

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