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Multi-level approval notification challenge

Hi There,

I am try to create a multi-level approval form, where I have created several columns to hold dynamic approver names (based on the submitter), based on a specific set of criteria. I then use a VLOOKUP formula to populate the text field from a contact field in a 'reference' SS containing the relationships of submitters and their approvers. Everything populates properly when a new row is inserted at the top of the SS (from a form), but I am unable to send the approval request because the "Send Approval Request to" a "Contact in Column" won't recognize the text field containing the approver name (pulled from a contact field on a different SS) as a contact field so I can't select it.

Can anyone suggest an alternate method?

Thanks,

Dan.

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Andrée Starå

Hi Dan,

The contact must come from a list or email address in the contact field. Nothing else will work. You can't have formulas in the contact cells.

I hope this helps you!

Best,

Andrée Starå

Workflow Consultant @ Get Done Consulting

CmptrDan

Hi Andrée,

Yes. I understand that. The issue is that, although my VLOOKUP formula pulls in the contact data from a contact column on the source SS, I can't add a formula to a contact column in the current SS, so I could only add the data to a text column.

Would you have any ideas on how to pull in a contact from a 'source/reference' SS into the working SS' contact column?

Best Regards,

Dna.

Andrée Starå

Hi Dan,

Unfortunately, it's not possible to do anything else with the contact column.

One possible workaround depending on your use case could be to set up multiple approval actions with the different contacts. How many are different contacts or are they mostly the same people?

Would that work?

Best,

Andrée

Andrée Starå

Hi Dan,

Formulas in contact columns. It's released now!

https://community.smartsheet.com/announcement/announcing-formula-support-contact-columns

Have a fantastic day!

Best,

Andrée Starå

Workflow Consultant @ Get Done Consulting

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