Is there a way to count parents of a task?

ACharvet

Travis

 

Good question! This was a new one for me but I figured out a solution. 

 

First I added a Flag column that will 'flag' if the row is a parent row (If the number of children is more than 0). Then I created a formula that will count the number of flags in a given range. The first value of the range is an absolute reference of the first parent row flag cell and the second value is whatever row the formula is on. Dragging the formula down will increase the range, giving you the number of parents. If the formula is on a parent row, 1 is subtracted from the result (so it does not count itself). 

 

When using this, add the formula to first parent row, then drag it down to copy the formula for all the rows. 

 

I made a sheet with this formula so you can see how it works. When you (or anyone else) clicks the link below, a copy of the sheet will be added to your account and you will be the owner of that sheet. 

 

 

https://app.smartsheet.com/b/launch?lx=u72Fqy4tjZTVmjIZ4OMVEF2F3tjZfBYMXSEruozjq1E

ACharvet

Thank You Travis.

Thats seems to work, but gets gunked up when adding rows below the last row.  Simply Filling Down using Control+D did not work when I tried to out-dent tasks.

 

Really looking for an Outline level field, like MS Project has.

It would:

-Provide data that I could use for conditional formatting, based on level.

-Allow quick visibility to mistakes due to incorrect indentation.  Just had this happen today - a row of information was missed because the task that was supposed to be the summary task was at the same level as the task itself.  Since we had many tasks at that level, it was impossible to get them on the screen at the same time.

 

 

Here is what the field looks like in MS Project./

 

Travis

It sounds like what you are really looking for is a work breakdown structure (WBS). While not currently available, we are tracking feedback for this request and I will add your vote for it! 

ACharvet

Thank you.

Michael Gertz

Yes, please. A count(parents()) formula would be very helpful.

Kennedy Stomps

I have added your vote, Michael!

Jon Tresko

My Vote > 1 !!!

LYSTR

I would be interested in this as well

Soren

Another +1 vote for count(parents())

Soren

Actually, looks like this has now been added with ancestors() function:

From the function help example:

COUNT(ANCESTORS([Task Name]4))

See: https://help.smartsheet.com/function/ancestors

Steven Bass

Count Me