Automation works when run manually, Doesn't run at all automagically.

Not sure what the secret to automation is but it's not working.

What I'm trying to accomplish:

Fill out form
Data goes into sheet called Core
Automation is triggered when new row is added which copies data to sheet called Bridge
Rows 1-5 in Bridge contain default data I want to copy to Core
Automation in Bridge is triggered when a new row is added (the data from Core gets pasted into row 6 via step 3). This automation is set to copy rows 1-5 back to sheet Core

Steps 1-3 work. Step 5 works only if I run it manually.

I've checked permissions, I've rebuilt the automations at least 10 times, I've rebuilt the entire project in a new Workspace, and the logs provide zero insight.

Any suggestions?

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Accepted answers

Doot

Thanks Paul, this lead me to the solution!

I tried a number of different things in a Helper column. Relying on a specific cell in Row 6 didn't work as the Cell Reference to Row 6 won't change after the first use (subsequent uses copy to a new row).

What did work was creating an AutoNumber column and then set the Helper column to Count the number of items in the AutoNumber column. Since the number of rows increases with Automation, the Helper column increments by one, triggering a change and thus the automation.

I suppose after 50 uses the table will need to be cleared but that's an issue I can handle.

Thanks

PS: The AI generated Get Help feature lies 🙄

All comments

Jason P

Hi @Doot

Start with some basics see if something here is preventing, you mention rows 1-5 contain default data - if there's formula's or cross sheet references? https://help.smartsheet.com/articles/2479626-automatically-copy-rows-between-sheets

Can I assume rows 1-5 are locked? looking to understand how 'Core' data ends up on row 6..

cheers.

Doot

Here's the first automation that copies the form input from Core to Bridge:

So Bridge looks like this with the 5 standard rows and row 6 copied over.

This automation in the Bridge sheet should copy 5 rows that meet the condition to another sheet.

This 2nd automation works perfect manually, but does not work automated. I can get the Automation to copy row 6, no problem, but it absolutely will not copy the top 5 existing rows.

Rows 1-5 on Bridge are not locked.

Paul Newcome

It is only picking up row 6 because rows 1 - 5 are not being added to the sheet. They are already there. Your automation specifies to only trigger on rows that are added.

Try changing it to when rows are added or changed, and changing the column being triggered on to the Modified Date / time stamp column.

Doot

Thanks for suggestion. I see the logic, change a data point in rows 1-5 so the system sees them as "changed" and copies them. When I set the Automation as below, it's still not working. I assume because even in this scenario no data is changing in rows 1-5.

Am I overthinking this? I just want to copy a template of 5 rows so-to-speak whenever the form is filled out. 😶

Paul Newcome

You can try a helper column with a basic formula / cell reference to the row where the modified date is changing.

=[Modification Date]6 + ""

Then maybe triggering off of this will work.

Doot

Thanks Paul, this lead me to the solution!

I suppose after 50 uses the table will need to be cleared but that's an issue I can handle.

Thanks

PS: The AI generated Get Help feature lies 🙄

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