Retaining comments in an approval workflow

L11CAS

Hi 

i have an approval workflow that isn't quite functioning as i'd like. It works as follows:

1.  A Payments Officer inputs data to a sheet and creates a row comment to add context
2. they then change a status column to "Awaiting Approval".
3. This send an Approval Request to the contact in the Approver column
4. The Approver reviews the request and checks the comments at the bottom of the form / email
5. The Approver posts a note in the comments box to explain their decision
6. The Approver - selects either the Approve or Decline button
7. This triggers an email back to the Payments Officer which they then file for their records

My Problem

The comment made by the Approver is displayed in this email to the Payments Officer but the original comments made by the Payments Officer do not persist. Is there any way to ensure that all the comments for that row are drawn through to this email to ensure the Payments Officer has all the context relating to that row?

Thanks

Lucas

Andrée Starå

Hi Lucas,

Update: I misinterpreted the question.

It should show but you'll have to click to expand the comments. 

Have a fantastic week!

Best,

Andrée Starå

Workflow Consultant @ Get Done Consulting

L11CAS

Thanks Andree

Expanding the comments in the approval request makes them visible to the Approver but its getting those original comments to persist in the return email to the Payments Officer that is my issue. Any ideas on that one?

Thanks

Lucas

Andrée Starå

Happy to help!

Unfortunately, it's not possible at the moment, but it's a great idea!

Please submit an Enhancement Request when you have a moment.

As a workaround, you could add specific columns for the comments and then all the information would be visible.

Would that work?

Best,

Andrée

Andrée Starå

Another workaround could be to send the row for archiving after everything is done because that will include the comments.

Would that work?

Best,

Andrée

L11CAS

Thanks Andrée 

I had a comments column in my mind too. I think that might be the best solution for now and it should achieve the same end.

Cheers 

Lucas

Simon Wilcock

Hi

Hope you don't mind em jumping on, I have the same problem! I want the comments detail to carry through to the final email back to the submitter so they can see all the comments along the way.

I had the same idea to add a specific extra column to capture the comments at each level and then display them that way.

I've added that field that shows up in the approval request flow, but is there a way to make it editable as part of the Request and Update approval. It seems I can only edit the original comments field and then click the APPROVE/DECLINE button.

Any ideas

Thanks