Auto-Number Not Working

QBrandt

I have an Auto-Number function running in one column and after number 1966, I added information in the next row, and it spit out the number 1997. I then deleted the information in the row and then added it again and now its 1998. I added another row after and its 1999. I need the next row to be 1967. Any suggestions resolving this issue?

 

Unfortunately I need to keep the same numbers with each row and they are not all present. Example, I have a row with the number 1771 and the next row is 1773 because 1772 was a row I needed to remove from the sheet. that being said I cannot clear out the column and have it start at a specific number. 

Andrée Starå

Hi,

There is a way to fix it and I'll get back to you as soon as I remember it/find it.

Have a fantastic day!

Best,

Andrée Starå

Workflow Consultant @ Get Done Consulting

QBrandt

Hi Andree, 

That would be awesome! Thanks.

Paul Newcome

Reset the Auto-Number Column

In the event that your numbering schema changes or if the column isn't displaying numbers as expected, you can reset the auto-number column:

1. Select the drop-down arrow  under the column's header and select Delete Column.
2. Click Save in the top toolbar.
3. Select File > Refresh.
4. Create a new auto-number column with your correct values.
   
   
   
   IMPORTANT: When setting the values in your new auto-number column, it's important to set the starting value to 1 to ensure that the column increments from 1 (as opposed to from a value in the prior auto-number column).
   
    
5. Save the sheet to populate the column with new numbers.

Andrée Starå

Paul,

He doesn't want to reset back to zero. He wants to continue from a specific number.

I've done it before, but it's lost on me right now.

Best,

Andrée

Paul Newcome

Ah. Ok. The only way I have been able to continue from a specific number was to use a text/number column and write up a quick formula that generates a row id. I hope you're able to figure it out again because I too could use this.

Andrée Starå

I'll try and get back to you when I do 

Andrée Starå

Try this.

1. Change the column properties from Auto-Number/System... to Text/Number
2. Save
3. Delete the numbers you don't want
4. Save
5. Delete the rows with the numbers you deleted
6. Save
7. Change the column back to Auto Number and change the Starting Number to the number you'd like the next added row to be
8. Save
9. Add a new row
10. Save and watch the magic happen

Did it work?

Best,

Andrée

 

Andrée Starå

Try this.

1. Change the column properties from Auto-Number/System... to Text/Number
2. Save
3. Delete the numbers you don't want
4. Save
5. Delete the rows with the numbers you deleted
6. Save
7. Change the column back to Auto Number and change the Starting Number to the number you'd like the next added row to be
8. Save
9. Add a new row
10. Save and watch the magic happen

Did it work?

Best,

Andrée

Sergio

Hello,

I have the same issue. How I solved it: I didn't want to skip any number, so I went to the column properties, and I put the number from which I wanted the list to start, taking into account the last number used by Smartsheet.

My issue now is: sometimes I need to generate several codes simultaneously, It used to works, it generated the numbers consecutively, but now, when I paste the information in different rows, Smartsheet generates the numbers in the rank, but not consecutively.

So for example, the next number on my list should be 20, so I add information in 5 different rows, so it supposed to be: 21, 22, 23, 24, 25. Instead, Smartsheet is considering the rank (from 21 to 25), but it puts randomly, for ex. 25, 21, 24, 23, 22. So I´ve been adding row by row, but that´s not efficient. And the solution given by Andrée Satara is not practical for me, since I have more than 3000 rows linked to that column, so if I delete it the information linked to this column it will disappear and numbers will be changed.

Pleased could someone help me with this?

Regards