How do I display the username of a modifier of a specific column?

Davydefault

I am attempting to display the username of a specific column using an automation workflow. I want for a user to be able to scan a barcode into column A, and for their credentials and time/ date of the barcode scan to be displayed in the next two columns. However, I want the credentials and time to be displayed of the user the scans the barcode EXCLUSIVELY, not for it to be updated if other cells in the row are edited.

I followed this advice;

1. Add necessary columns: Create three columns:
   • A primary column you want to track (e.g., "Status" as a Dropdown List).
   • A Text/Number helper column (e.g., "Modifier Helper").
   • A second Text/Number column to display the final value (e.g., "User Who Updated Status").
2. Create an automation workflow:
   • Navigate to Automation > Create workflow from scratch.
   • Name the workflow (e.g., "Record Status Modifier").
   • Set the Trigger to: "When rows are changed" and specify your tracked column (e.g., "Status") as the trigger.
   • Add a Condition if needed (e.g., "When Status changes to Complete").
   • Set the Action to: "Change a cell value" and configure it to update your "Modifier Helper" column with the dynamic variable {{Modified By}}.
   • Select Save.
3. Add a column formula: In your "User Who Updated Status" column, use a column formula to reference the helper column: =[Modifier Helper]@row . This ensures the value is captured as static text rather than a dynamic system reference, which helps preserve the data's integrity. 

But my issue is that when I follow the instructions as written for steps 2 and 3, all that is displayed in my third column is {{Modified By}} and not the actual user information. Can anyone help out with this?

Paul Newcome

These steps are not quite possible in Smartsheet. Especially the part where you output {{Dynamic Data}} using a change cell automation.

Generally speaking, users scanning a barcode are doing so in a form. If that is the case here, you can have it set so that users must be logged in to fill out the form. Then you can use the system generated created date and created by columns to capture who submitted the form and when.