Set default text for a given cell

Sarah Brelage

Have you found a formula that will autofill a blank cell?  I have an Approval Status cell that I want to auto populate with "Under Review" as soon as the row is added...

Andrée Starå

Hi,

Are there any rows above or underneath?

Can you describe your process in more detail and maybe share the sheet(s) or some screenshots? (Delete/replace any confidential/sensitive information before sharing) That would make it easier to help. (share too, andree@getdone.se)

I hope that helps!

Have a fantastic weekend!

Best,

Andrée Starå

Workflow Consultant / CEO @ WORK BOLD

 

Ramsay Zaki

As noted in my earlier comment... Unfortunately, using formulas is not reliable. If the cell above/below has been changed then the formula doesn't autofill. So, if I have changed the status of two rows and then want to add a new row in between, the new row doesn't get the formula and thus, doesn't get a default status.

Ramsay Zaki

I am using Microsoft Flow to fix Smartsheet's missing default value functionality. Using formulas just isn't reliable (they don't always autofill 100% of the time). In Microsoft flow, I have it set up that whenever a new row is added, various fields have various default values and formulas set.

 

The formula you are asking for is ="Under Review"

Andrée Starå

Ok.

I was answering sbrelage and it didn't see your comment.

Andrée Starå

Have you tried Zapier as well? Do you add formulas through MS Flow?

Ramsay Zaki

Yes. I have used Zapier before. But, at the end of the day both tools can essentially do the same thing. 

Andrée Starå

I find Zapier more powerful, but then again, I haven't used MS Flow to the same extent.

Have you set up MS Flow to add formulas by default to Smartsheet?

Ramsay Zaki

I sure have. :-) Here is an example.

In my real Flows, I am also checking that the field is blank (if the user does select a value I don't want to overwrite what they put in the field).

 

Andrée Starå

Thanks!

I thought you meant without API.

I thought I had missed something.  That said, I need to explore MS Flow more.