Sheet Data Reports

bmoore

Hello SmartSheet community! 

We've been using Smartsheet for a while now throughout our company and so far have several sheets. Some have important deadlines/dates while some just have to-do lists with several tasks that are flagged as important. I'm having difficulty figuring out how to compile all of the upcoming dates, deadlines and tasks of all sheets into one place. What do you think the best way to do this is? I tried running a report, but it wasn't quite what I'm looking for. We're a retailer so each product has its own timeline/list of necessary steps and when I ran a report it listed the next steps, but neglected to tell me the season or clothing number associated with this next step. Not sure if reports are the best way to go or if I'm just missing a crucial step. 

Thank you!!

Richard Rymill SBP

Hi Bmoore

I think the crucial step you are missing in order to use Reports to surface your urgencies is.... (apologies if you have done this already! but...) 

You need to look carefully at your Data structure, Descriptions, Status' Flags all need to be as uniform as possible across the org and as high level as possible otherwise you get...... Too much info, that you cannot see the KPIs'. 

Using Reports you can draw in your Crucial info from lots of Sheets but filter it carefully,  so you see what you need. Insert Data Triggers to help you lift important data upwards but do it in a uniform way. 

Really Good Corporate data structure and discipline is essential for such reports to work well. To get there, Map your Processes Out  and where you have multiple creators then make sure they use the same data Rules in all the company sheets. 

Final tip... if you have lots of sheets and Reports, then use Dashboard for easy navigation from your KPIs down to the action. 

Hope that helps. 

RichardR