Automations: include attachments

Jennifer Workman

Hello,

I’d like to open a discussion about the "Alert someone" automation feature and the current inability to send row attachments directly via this process.

• Issue 1) Alerts field is misleading
• Issue 2) Alerts are not sending Attachments

Currently, under the "Alert someone" automation, there is an option to include "an attachment" as part of the "Links to sheet and specific fields" feature. However, this is misleading because attachments are only included in the alert email if the alert is triggered at the same time the attachments are uploaded. Since attachments are typically added manually or via a form, this inconsistency often results in the alert emails not including the attachments at all.

I believe this feature could be significantly improved by enabling the inclusion of row attachments in alert emails. For example, I need to send alerts to field employees (who do not have access to the sheet) to notify them of tasks for a specific job. These employees need to see the associated pictures, documents, or designs attached to the row to effectively perform their duties.

Currently, I follow the initial "Alert" email with a "Request an Update" automation, which does include the attachments. While this works to some extent, automating the inclusion of attachments in the initial "Alert" email would significantly streamline communication and improve task execution.

Flow Currently:

1. Form filled out by 3rd Part to request a field visit with attachments uploaded
2. Alert Automation sent out to field employee notifying them to go look at the work (they need the attachments).
3. Request an Update automation sent to field employee to provide feedback on their walkout.

I’d like to explore the possibility of implementing this enhancement. I’d appreciate hearing others’ thoughts and experiences on this topic.

+1

Mike3696

I also need the ability to attach all documents on notifications, no matter when they were added.

PDS Richard

I would like to have automations send attachments attached to the row when the row is being sent. I have a sheet that has orders that need to be placed, and a date column on each row for the order date. I am using the automation to "Alert someone on a specific date" and have attachments attached to the row, but when the automation runs to send out the row, it does not include attachments.

Heather Blankenship

It seems like the ability to add attachments to an automation would be a basic ask. It feels like it's been overcomplicated and should be an easy function. My vote is to add this functionality ASAP.

geocull

I am using smartsheet for local groups to apply for funding. We are assessing their applications based on the information they submit on a form. I then want to generate a series of offer letters (which I can do through automation). The bit that is missing is I want to then automatically send them an email to say there is an offer letter, and for the applicant (who is not a smartsheet user) to get an email with the attachment.

Geilisa

Definitely would be beneficial to have the ability to send attachments directly in an email without a request for update or link to the sheet. Automation for generating documents should also allow for the option to email an update with attachment.

Just wanted to keep this request alive!

JScreen

Attachment In Automation - without needing to click into Smartsheet

With utilising automations to send emails to external parties, the ability to attach a document to an automated email would greatly help the process be more accessible to public users (as we currently always have challenge with people accessing) without the need of fiddling with Sharepoint links as we currently do.