Approval Request

Peggy Parchert

I'm trying to set up a workflow process for OOO requests. I would like there to be Approver comments if the request is Denied but I can't seem to get it to work without having the Approver log into SmartSheet to enter the Approver comments.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks -Peggy

 

Andrée Starå

Hi Peggy,

It should work.

Can you describe your process in more detail and maybe share the sheet(s) or some screenshots? That would make it easier to help. (share too, [email protected])

Happy Holidays & Happy New Year!

Best,

Andrée Starå

Workflow Consultant @ Get Done Consulting

Paul Newcome

I just tested it out and was able to. The comments are stored in the Row Comments section as opposed to a "Comments" column.

 

To have them stored in a column as opposed to the row comments, You would need to have an update request sent out with the criteria being for any row where the Status changes to "Denied".

Peggy Parchert

Thank you for assisting me with this. I'm not sure why I can't get this to work. I have an OOO SmartSheet with the following columns:

Lead/Supervisor - this is a restricted dropdown list

Employee Name - this is a restricted dropdown list

Type: this is a restricted dropdown list (Business/Partial Day/Person)

Status: this is a restricted dropdown list (Approved/Cancelled/Denied/Submitted/Tentative). 'Submitted' is the default for the form that is used when Employee’s submit the OOO request.

Start Date - date field

End Date - date field

Duration - text/number field

Comments - text/number field

Approval Comments - text/number field

I have created the following:

Request Submitted: Approval Needed -

this is the initial request sent to the Supervisor/Lead when an OOO request is submitted. From this this request, the Supervisor/Lead can either Approve or Deny the request. I would like the Supervisor/Lead to be able to enter comments if the request is Denied without having to log into SmartSheet to enter comments. Currently, they have to log into SmartSheet to add a Approval comment. I was hoping to make this work so they could add comments without having to log into SmartSheet. I've attached a screenshot of this Alert (one is of the Advanced Options and one is of the Alert).

Any assistance would be appreciated. Thanks -Peggy

Andrée Starå

Happy to help!

An Approval Request can only be Approved/Declined (or similar), and it's also possible to add a comment. That comment is stored on the corresponding row. If you want the supervisor/lead to be able to edit/add comments to a different column, then you'll have to use the Update Request feature instead.

Would that work?

Best,

Andrée

Peggy Parchert

That worked! Thank you very much!

Peggy

Andrée Starå

Great!

Happy to help!

Best,

Andrée

Paul Newcome

Happy to help. 

kathlenew

Hi Andree,

I can't seem to see the add a comment function on this. 

See below screenshot. 

Thanks,

Kathlene

Andrée Starå

Hi Kathlene,

If you hover over the added columns, you'll see a menu, click, and then you can add the "A comment" one. (see attached screenshot)

Did it work?

Hope that helps!

Have a fantastic weekend!

Best,

Andrée Starå

Workflow Consultant / CEO @ WORK BOLD