Notification Exception

RB_Desk
RB_Desk ✭✭✭
edited 08/28/23 in Smartsheet Basics

I want to add an 'exception' to a workflow notification on a sheet.

Scenario: i want to be alerted if any column in a row changes, EXCEPT if a certain column data changes.

Another way to say it is: I want to be alerted if any field on a row changes except the very last field in the row; a date field.

How do I accomplish this?

thanks!

Best Answer

  • RB_Desk
    RB_Desk ✭✭✭
    Answer ✓

    This has been answered by support:

    Thanks Smartsheet!

    Access Automation:

    • Open the sheet you want to set the alert for.
    • Click on the “Automation” menu located near the top of the screen.
    • Choose “Manage Workflows” if you want to edit an existing workflow or "Create a Workflow" to make a new one.

    Configure the Alert Trigger:

    • For your requirement, you'll set up a "When Rows are Changed" trigger.
    • However, since Smartsheet doesn't have a native exception feature, you'll need to set up individual triggers for each column except the one you want to exclude. This can be a bit tedious if you have a lot of columns but this is the way to accomplish your specific requirement of being alerted about changes in any column except one.

    Setting up Individual Triggers:

    • Let's say you have columns A, B, C, and D, and you want to exclude column D (the date field) from triggering the alert.
    • Set a condition: “When Column A changes.”
    • Add another condition: “OR When Column B changes to.”
    • Continue for all columns except the date column (or any you want to exclude).
    • Remember: You are setting these conditions in parallel, not in series. This means the workflow should consider any of these changes, not all of them at once.

    Configure the Action:

    • After setting the triggers, determine the action. This would typically be “Send an Alert.”
    • Specify who receives the alert and customize the message as needed.


Answers

  • RB_Desk
    RB_Desk ✭✭✭
    Answer ✓

    This has been answered by support:

    Thanks Smartsheet!

    Access Automation:

    • Open the sheet you want to set the alert for.
    • Click on the “Automation” menu located near the top of the screen.
    • Choose “Manage Workflows” if you want to edit an existing workflow or "Create a Workflow" to make a new one.

    Configure the Alert Trigger:

    • For your requirement, you'll set up a "When Rows are Changed" trigger.
    • However, since Smartsheet doesn't have a native exception feature, you'll need to set up individual triggers for each column except the one you want to exclude. This can be a bit tedious if you have a lot of columns but this is the way to accomplish your specific requirement of being alerted about changes in any column except one.

    Setting up Individual Triggers:

    • Let's say you have columns A, B, C, and D, and you want to exclude column D (the date field) from triggering the alert.
    • Set a condition: “When Column A changes.”
    • Add another condition: “OR When Column B changes to.”
    • Continue for all columns except the date column (or any you want to exclude).
    • Remember: You are setting these conditions in parallel, not in series. This means the workflow should consider any of these changes, not all of them at once.

    Configure the Action:

    • After setting the triggers, determine the action. This would typically be “Send an Alert.”
    • Specify who receives the alert and customize the message as needed.