Is there a way to set up automations based on what "was" in a cell?

ckelter

As the title states, I'm trying to set up a couple specific automations. I feel like this used to work, but I am running into roadblocks. Is there a way to set up automations that accounts for what "was" in a cell? This option does not seem to be available in conditions. Two examples:

1. How would you set up an automation to assign a date to a column (start date) triggered by a changing the status to a specific value when the status was previously set to a different specific value? For example, assign the date when the status changes to analysis, build, or test, only where the status was previously received, or backlog.
2. How would you set up an automation to mark a status cell to "Completed" when the % complete column reaches 100% IF the status cell was not previously marked "completed". (to prevent an infinite loop with one of my other workflows).

Paul Newcome

You would need to use one of the various methods outlined to capture the previous data and bring it back into the sheet. below is a method I developed for doing so. You would follow the steps outlined below to capture the data then use something like an INDEX/MATCH or INDEX/COLLECT to bring the data back to your main working sheet.

https://community.smartsheet.com/discussion/63561/date-time-stamp-option