Setting Contact column to Placeholder using the API

I am programmatically updating a sheet using the SmartSheets API. I need to set a column that is a CONTACT type to a Resource Manager placeholder. When I do, I get the error message "The value for cell in column 6143599851818884, did not conform to the strict requirements for type CONTACT." Typically a contact can be set using the email address. However placeholders do not have email addresses so I attempt to set the placeholder text.

As an FYI, the field I'm trying to set is the Assigned To which is used in the RM integration.

When I look at the raw data for an existing value containing a placeholder it looks like

{

"columnId": 6143599851818884,

"value": ".NET Placeholder"

}

Where as a typical user looks like

{

"columnId": 6143599851818884,

"value": "joshua.user@company.com",

"displayValue": "Josh User"

Using the APIs, how can I set the column value to the placeholder text?

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Leibel S

Try adding the overrideValidation = true in the query parameters, and within the cell object add strict = false

hiker360

Good idea. Unfortunately still didn't work. Still get the error: The value for cell in column 6143599851818884, did not conform to the strict requirements for type CONTACT. Smartsheet support said that what I wanted to do was not supported.

Erin Horiuchi Green

@hiker360 I did the below workaround using API python. THe Contact List was just too complex and not flexible for me to work with.

Column A is my picklist and column B is a cross-sheet reference to the directory to capture email. As new records are registered in the sheet directly or via a form, I have automation in place to send update emails as specific information is updated or nearing a deadline.

First, I get the Column ID info.

import smartsheet

smartsheet_client = smartsheet.Smartsheet('INSERT TOKEN')

action = smartsheet_client.Sheets.get_columns(SHEET ID, )

columns = action.data

for col in columns:
print(col.title)
print(col.id)

Then, I update Column A to a picklist with options.

import smartsheet

smartsheet_client = smartsheet.Smartsheet('INSERT TOKEN')

column_spec = smartsheet.models.Column({
'type': 'PICKLIST',
'Options': [
"INSERT NAME 1",
"INSERT NAME 2",
"INSERT NAME 3",
"INSERT NAME #"
]
})

response = smartsheet_client.Sheets.update_column( SHEETID, COLUMNID, column_spec)
updated_column = response.result

So far, I have not hit a ceiling as my records < 1K.

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