Automation not triggering all of the time

Hi Smartsheet community, I've always tried to answer questions but this is my first time posting.

So I have formula =IF([Project Status]@row = "Complete", 1, 0) set up in the "Complete Check - Hide column" to check the box when the project status is marked complete. The project status column is tied to several other sheets with an index match formula, and I've discovered that a cross sheet link or formula won't trigger an automation which is why I added the check box column.

The automation is just set up to record a date when the box is checked

For some reason it is about 50/50 whether a date is recorded or not when the box is checked. In the screenshot above there are 4 lines that have been marked complete from a few hours to over a day and no date has been recorded.

Does anyone have any ideas what the issue could be with the date not being recorded?

Thanks in advance!

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c.swerts

What’s happening is that your checkbox is filled by a formula, and Smartsheet doesn’t always treat formula changes as “real edits.”

That’s why your date only shows up sometimes :/

The easiest fix is to have your automation trigger straight from Project Status when it changes to "Complete.” If you need the actual timestamp, a System Column like "Modified Date" works well too.

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