How do I connect SmartSheets Form to send an approval or reject notification to the project manager?

nidamum

I created a Form for my spreadsheet that allows user to request a change to a specific date in the project plan. The form needs to go to a project manager for approval or denial. If approved → that cell date should automatically update based on the response. Is that possible?

Should we skip the form and allow user to change the date in the spreadsheet and then set up a automated notification when cell is changed for approve and deny? Can the cell still auto populate with the corrected date?

Matt Lynn ACT

@nidamum Hi, a form doesn't do this feature, but you can use an "Update Request". This can be done manually or via automation and automatically pull the date or contact from the row. However, doing an approval workflow and an update request is different. They can be combined but the value from one doesn't go into the other step. So you could get the update from the user (That WOULD change the date).. but immediately trigger an approval of that date, but then either manually or through another workflow you'd have to change the date back if not approved. You could add a hidden helper column that has the original date, ask the user to change the date, then send that date to the approver but require that approver to reenter the same date if approved (which would be a different date column that is actually the real date). If he/she denied it then the date would never change. It would be somewhat like asking them to confirm the date they're approving by entering it.

nidamum

Thanks for your response! How about if we just stick to this scenario:

1. User submits a request to change date form
2. Request to approve goes to the project manager
3. Project manager approves or denies the request
4. Manually changes the date in the sheet?

How do i set up step 2 though - the approval or deny workflow from form