Columns appearing when a row is copied and moved by automation

Smartie

My underlying primary sheet is populated by a form, I have a further automation set up which copies and moves the row to a new sheet if specific criteria are met, in this case "Yes" is selected from a drop down menu (this is in columns that are beyond the form populated fields).

When the row appears in the new sheet, 5 empty columns appear after the primary column.

SS 5 extra columns.png

Do you know why and how I can stop this from happening?

Paul Newcome

You will need to remove those columns from the original sheet.

Andrée Starå

Hi @Smartie

I hope you're well and safe!

Here's a possible workaround or workarounds

• Hide the extra columns.
• 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.

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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