Cross-sheet cell link updates appear to affect time zone behavior on original sheet

We resolved the initial computer-specific issue, but we’re still seeing unexpected behavior where one of our sheets seems to revert to Pacific Time, which affects our date documentation.

Specifically, when a connected (cross-referenced) cell link is updated, the main sheet’s date and time values appear to shift — almost as if the sheet temporarily switches to Pacific Time. Once we open and re-save the sheet, everything displays correctly again in our local time zone, EST.

All collaborators are in the same time zone, and our personal settings are correct. This behavior started about 3 weeks ago and only seems to occur on sheets that use a cross-sheet cell link.

Has anyone else noticed similar behavior with TODAY() or time-based fields recalculating after cross-sheet cell link updates?

Any insights or confirmation would be appreciated.

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Georgie

Hi @BD,

The sheet converting to Pacific Time when changes are made via cell links is expected behaviour, since the services that allow cell links to function are hosted by service users with a Pacific time zone setting - take a look here: Troubleshooting: How Smartsheet handles time zones.

Hope that helps!

Georgie

Hi Georgie,

Thank you for your reply.

I realize I worded my original post incorrectly — the issue isn’t specifically with the TODAY() function. What’s happening is that the recorded or created date changes back to the previous day when entries are made between approximately 12:00 AM and 3:00 AM after a cell link update. I am in Eastern time zone.

This occurs in both scenarios — whether I’m using the “Record a Date” automation or a date formula referencing the created date. When this happens, the date reverts to the previous day until the original sheet is saved again.

I reference that date to confirm that other sheets have been completed, so when the date shifts, it incorrectly appears as though items haven’t been finished.

Thanks for sharing the link above — I did review it before posting. However, this behavior only began about three weeks ago. Everything had been working reliably for several years prior, so it seems that something may have changed recently.

Any insights or similar experiences would be greatly appreciated!

Best regards,

Georgie

Hi @BD,

It’s expected that changes made by cell links, automation and cross-sheet formulas will convert the sheet to Pacific time due to pacific time overrides, and the display values of system columns will update for users viewing the sheet.

In your case, the record a date automation and the date formula that references the Created Date column are causing the behaviour. As the Created Date column is a System Column, the display values for that column and therefore any column that references it will get updated for you, since you’re in Eastern Time, and will update for anyone viewing the sheet who isn’t in Pacific Time.

I found a similar Community thread you might find useful here: Issue with Record Date automation.

I also found some similar idea posts you may wish to add your votes and comments on:

Thanks,

Georgie

Thank you for your reply.

It seems that something changed a few weeks ago — I’m not certain what, but the system no longer behaves quite the same way. Previously, it appeared to cache data in a way that didn’t affect date and time values as it does now.

I have several sheets that have been working reliably for years, and this issue started appearing only recently. I was wondering if there might have been an update that could be related to this behavior, although it could just be a coincidence.

The timing lines up somewhat with the information in this article:
Multiple Sheets, Sources, and Column Link Configurations

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