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Latest Comment Copies Wrong Time

I have two columns that I have users enter data, formula combines it with the current modified date and time, then automations copy those rows to another sheet, so the history is preserved with the time. I then use the JOIN/COLLECT trick in new columns on the original sheet to show a log of that data change over time.

One of these columns is just regular text and copies over with the correct time stamp onto the second sheet. However, the second column is Latest Comment and this copies over 3 hours behind our real time zone on the second sheet. Back on the original sheet, the JOIN/COLLECT of course just pulls in the text so the history does not make sense.

I've confirmed my time zone in personal settings is correct (and regardless, the other cell+automation on the same sheet at the same time is referencing it without an issue). I also tried manually copying the row and did not select comments (which you can do on manual copying, but not automated copying it seems) and lo and behold, the time is totally correct.

This definitely feels like an unintended function or a bug for when the Latest Comment column is getting copied over. Has anyone else encountered this? Any workaround ideas? Thanks in advance!

Here is the original sheet showing the issue:

Answers

  • ✭✭✭

    Update, when I manually copy the row with comments ON, the correct time is also pulled. So I think I've isolated the automation as the issue…

  • Community Champion
    edited 12/10/24

    When changes are made to a sheet via automation, cell links, or cross-sheet formulas, the whole sheet is converted to Pacific Time. Automation services are hosted by service users with a Pacific Time setting. I am assuming you are on the East coast?

    You can find more info here:

    Site faviconTroubleshooting: How Smartsheet handles time zones | Smartsheet Learning Center

    Michelle Choate

    michelle.choate@outlook.com

    Always happy to walk through any project you need help with! Book time with me here: https://calendly.com/michelle-choate

  • ✭✭✭

    Thank you Michelle!

    Yes, I am on EST. What is strange is that I have the exact duplicate of the Copy Row automations/cell links populating the other field (it's basically a log of status changes) and those dates are populating in EST just fine. It's only converting to PST when I try to use the Copy Row automation to my helper sheet specifically using Latest Comment as a trigger.

  • ✭✭✭✭✭✭
  • Employee

    Hi @CV1,

    Adding to @Michelle Choate 2’s great advice, it might be that the sheet with the automation is owned by a user with different time zone settings to you. As stated in our documentation, “When working with automations, the trigger’s time zone is the same as the sheet Owner’s time zone.” - could that be the cause? Alternatively, if the helper sheet is owned by a different user, it might be converting the time to their time zone. 

    I’d recommend taking a look at the help article Michelle provided for more information about how Smartsheet handles time zones.

    Hope that helps!

    Georgie

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  • ✭✭✭

    Thank you @Georgie .

    I am the owner of all of these sheets. Yes, the article does state:

    "When changes are made to a sheet via automation, cell links, or cross-sheet formulas, the whole sheet is converted to Pacific Time. Automation services are hosted by service users with a Pacific Time setting. This means that TODAY() formulas and display system column display values may get updated if you're in a different time zone."

    The bolded phrase "…may get updated…" is the frustrating part. If it were consistent, I could just add the number of hours to get my timestamps to display the correct time. Instead, there is no apparent reason that the timestamp will come back as either timezone, so I have no way to program in a method to show the correct timestamp. Using automations effectively removes the reliability of timestamps entirely.

  • Employee

    Hi @CV1,

    Thanks for your feedback - it would be great if the time zone used for automations was consistent, and even better if you could select the time zone that your automations use! 

    I found similar idea posts here:

    Please add your vote to these ideas if they match your request. You’ll then receive updates when the status of the idea changes! If these requests don’t quite match your suggestion, please create a new Idea Post in the Smartsheet Product Feedback and Ideas topic. This will allow other users to vote on your enhancement idea!

    Thanks,

    Georgie

    Need more information? 👀 | Help and Learning Center

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