How to tirgger multiple different actions in response to a single Automation Trigger?

In response to a Trigger, I'd like to perform two actions:

Change cell value
Record date

However, when I attempt to add the second action, I get this message:

Selecting this action will remove its subsequent actions and conditions.

I understand that this can be done using two different Automations, but I'd like to keep these related actions together in the same Automation.

Thank you!

-tom

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Accepted answers

Frank S.

Tom,

The trigger would occur if something changes, and the condition paths would address what changes based on the specified condition.

For Example:

Trigger: When rows are added or changed, any field

Condition 1 Change y to 2

Condition 2: If y changes to 2, record a date.

All comments

Frank S.

Greetings @Tommi ,

One way to maintain this same automation is to add a conditional path to your automation. This will enable you to keep the changes within the same automation. For example, the first conditional path could change the cell value, and the second path would update the date based on criteria from the recorded cell value. I hope this helps.

Tommi

Thank you Frank. Is it possible to have both actions as part of the same path? I'd like both actions to occur together as a logical unit. The Smartsheet UI includes the "+" icon in the editor, to add additional actions, but it seems any use of it results in the "Selecting this action will remove its subsequent actions and conditions" message.

thanks,

-tom

Frank S.

@Tommi

At this time, you can not add both to the same path, as you have discovered.

The workaround is to make them part of the same automation and have them activate based on meeting a desired criteria. This will achieve the desired outcome and keep both actions within the same automation for better management.

Tommi

Thanks again Frank! This is very helpful feedback, and I'll experiment with that.

One thing that is not clear though: given that the conditional paths are mutually exclusive (ie, only one path is followed when the automation is triggered), it seems the automation would somehow need to be "re-triggered" in order for the second path to be followed. But, maybe I am misunderstanding the sugggestion and it will become clearer as I experiement.

Here's a simplified example of the type of multi-action Automation I'd like to create:

Trigger when X changes to 1:

Change Y to 2
Record date in Z

Thanks,

-tom

Frank S.

Tom,

The trigger would occur if something changes, and the condition paths would address what changes based on the specified condition.

For Example:

Trigger: When rows are added or changed, any field

Condition 1 Change y to 2

Condition 2: If y changes to 2, record a date.

Tommi

Thank you Frank. I understand the pattern now. I guess there's a trade-off. Your pattern keeps all of the actions in a single Automation (which is good, and what I was looking for), but introduces some potentially complicated conditional logic/flows. The alternative is two Automations (not ideal), but with a straightforward condition directly on the trigger.

Thank you for the feedback and suggestions.

-tom

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