Cell Linking for Updates?

ABogle

I'm trying to find a solution to reduce the number of updates my team and I have to do.



We currently use Smartsheet to create and manage project plans but also have a master "Status Sheet" that lists all projects, their current task, and the deadline of this task. Whenever we update the project plan, we also have to update the master status sheet.



My initial thought was to create a separate range of cells within the project plan that I could get the current task into (and if I could somehow automate this that would be amazing) and then have that additional section which displays the current task linked to the master sheet so that it more or less updates itself when we update the project plan.



Does anybody know if this would work, if there is a better way, or have any ideas?



Thank you! 

Pam Alakai

Hello, 

I would recommend creating a separate column called Updates in the projects. Then have collaborators insert their updates in that specific column. You can then proceed and link that Updates Column to your master sheet. The advantage of creating a separate update column is that you can hide that column once updates are inserted so it does not make your sheet look too busy. 

To make this process automatic, you can send Update Requests on a recurring basis to collaborators. They will then receive a form that they can input their updates in and those updates will automatically be inserted in the Updates column and will be linked to the master sheet. You can learn how to send update requests here: https://help.smartsheet.com/articles/504779-using-update-requests

Kind Regards, 

Pamela 

Smartsheet Technical Support

ABogle

Thank you Pamela!

J. Craig Williams

I believe what you are asking for is:

1. A means to determine what is "next" for each task handler

2. A convenient way for each task handler to update status of the task.

I further believe that this is possible, if not necessarily straight-forward.

There are many questions to consider. Off the top of my head:

a. How is "next" determined? Earliest? First in the sheet? Next due date?

b. Is there really on one "next"? for each person? (are tasks done in parallel?)

I don't expect you to answer those here, but they (and others) are what you should ask yourself to get the design correct.

Good luck.

Craig