Create an automation to set column value on a new row

intractableroof

I'm trying to create my first automation, and although it seems like a dead simple use case, I can't get it to work.

I simply want a default value for one of my columns. It's a drop-down column, but it looks like SmartSheet doesn't support setting a default value, and an automation is the recommended approach. So I'd like to create an automation that sets the value of this column when I add a new row to my sheet.

I set the trigger as "When rows are added," then selected "Change cell value" to the column and value I wanted.

When I add a new row, nothing happens.

I've tried changing the trigger to "When rows are added or changed" but that doesn't seem to make a difference.

Jennifer Kurtz

Hi!

It can take a few minutes for an automation to run, so this may be why you didn't notice the change right away. (Also - "adding a row" would involve actually typing something in the new row - not just using the "insert row" button.)

I'd definitely recommend changing your trigger back to "when a new row is added," lest any row changes trigger your status to be set back to Not Started. And/or, you could consider including a condition for when the "Status" field is blank.

Good luck!