Workflow actions not being triggered by changing linked cell

shrav919

I currently have 2 sheets, sheet 2 has dates cell-linked from sheet 1. In sheet 2 I wanted to use the "Change Cell Value" action whenever the linked date changes in the sheet to save "Yes" in a column called Date Change.

However I see that even when the date changes the workflow is not being triggered. I have read that specific Workflow actions such as Copy a Row and Move a Row are not triggered by a change in a linked cell. Does the not work with the Change Cell Value action as well?

Cory Page

I tried everything just the other day even going so far as creating a ticket to complain but I wasn't able to get anything to work by using a cross reference sheet. I tried using the change cell value whenever my index/match updated but it wouldn't do anything until I went into the sheet and manually ran the automation. I tried using modified dates as well no luck, the only option was to set up time based automations which didn't meet my need so I considered it a lost cause. If you could get it to lock and unlock that might refresh the sheet in the background triggering the automation but Lock and unlock also don't work with cross reference sheets so the dev's clearly thought of everything.

The only workaround I could think of that I didn't try would be to copy a row into the sheet when the other sheet is updated, this should trigger the automation to run then use another automation to delete it or move it to a deleting sheet. This may be a workaround but it would add a random row to your sheet for the sole purpose of triggering an automation which is just ridiculous.

shrav919

https://community.smartsheet.com/discussion/comment/387253#Comment_387253

But the reason I have created the second sheet is to not copy a row from the main sheet as I want to limit the number of columns that are copied.

Andrée Starå

Hi @shrav919

I hope you're well and safe!

Try using a cross-sheet formula instead.

I recently developed a client solution for RFQs where we use a checkbox to trigger it for each vendor, and then we have a cross-sheet formula checking boxes in the specific vendor's sheet that triggers the workflow for an update request, and it works.

Did that 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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shrav919

https://community.smartsheet.com/discussion/comment/387459#Comment_387459

Hi @Andrée Starå

A cross sheet reference doesnot trigger the workflow either, used INDEX MATCH but in vain

Kmbassett

@Andrée Starå your solution is also not working for me - can you give more details? It doesn't seem to matter what kind of workaround I put in place (a checkbox or formula that references the INDEX MATCH cell), if the modified by is a cell link, then it won't trigger a workflow.

Kmbassett

If you end up here trying to solve this problem, please go give an upvote to the product idea page to fix it!:

https://community.smartsheet.com/discussion/101589/allow-linked-cells-to-trigger-workflows