Sequencing automations with no condition/trigger overlap - clearing top row after an automation

DWalkerUK

I'm hoping you can help!

TL;DR in the weeds - I'm looking to use a change in the sheet to trigger an automation - but only act outside of the actual trigger

TLD;DR big picture - I actually simply want to run two automations sequentially. As far as Smartsheet can tell they are entirely disconnected. (Their connection runs through formulas)

Slight context

I have a set of sheets which transpose new form data in Row 1 across to a set of specified rows with index formulas, which have a checked "Copy Section" column - and then proceeds with "Copy Row" automation; copying these new row instances to a front sheet. They're copied, not moved, so as to retain their various INDEX functions, all mapped to Row 1.

Clearing

I'm working through different options to clear the top line after the rows have been copied! This is to avoid data from previous form filling being caught in future 'Copy Row's

I understand that we can't move/copy rows to the top of the sheet, only to the bottom. So sending a nominated blank row back from the front sheet (triggered by the arrival of the form rows) is off the cards.

I've had a few false starts, mostly around using formula effects as triggers (Which I now know we can't do). Most recently, I've been working on creating a 'Move to' automation into a nominated rubbish bin! Condition: "Copy Section" not checked. Action: Move to "Rubbish Bin".

The automation itself works wonderfully. I'm struggling with the triggers.

Triggers

I need my Clearing Automation to run after my Copy Row automation.

In another system (excel or google sheets), I would use the same trigger for both automations, but either apply an appropriate delay to the Clearing Function, or define the execution order, to avoid Clearing occurring before the Copy Row is complete (Copy Row has been taking up to 2 minutes to run)

Instead, I've been trying to add actions to the end of the Copy Row automation, which I can then use as a trigger for Clearing. I created a checkbox column which alternates checked and unchecked after Copy Row, called AlternateCopy.

The problem I'm facing here is that for a second action to be defined as occurring after the copy row action rather than simultaneously/down a seperate condition path, it also ends up sitting underneath the copying condition pathway! So the AlternateCopy boxes are only alternating within the Copy Section area.

And my Clearing Automation trigger occurring within that Copy Section isn't helpful - because as soon as I add conditions which protect that Copy Section, and only Move the other rows…the automation becomes useless, unable to apply the actions to rows outside of where it was triggered.

Plea

Does anyone have any ideas to either:

• Clear the top row after an automation is complete
• Create an order of execution for two automations which seem to have no overlap

Thanks!

Dan

Paul Newcome

You shouldn't need to clear the top row after the formatted rows are copied. A new form submission should be inserted in the row above the previous submission which should then be picked up by your INDEX functions.