Hard-coding dropdown-menu values for consistency over multiple SmartSheets

tfassnacht

Hi community,

I have a smartsheetA and smartsheetB. They have the same column client and should contain the same drop-down values.

 

For each smartsheet I have to manually input those values in drop-down values possibilities. I risk to create a typo and then formulas don't work.

 

Is there a way I could hard-code those clients somewhere for consistency in the drop-down of my 2 sheets ?

 

Thanks and best,

 

Mike Wilday

Your best bet is to right-click on the dropdown column header from Sheet A, select edit properties, and then copy and paste your list from Sheet A into Sheet B. There really isn't a way to make those uniform. Cell linking is a possibility, you could create a third sheet with all of your dropdown options in a single column and then cell link to a default option at the top of the list. Then when a user double-clicks on a cell, they will be presented with the ability to choose another cell to link... I've seen this done before but its kind of jerry-rigged and not as clean. 

Paul Newcome

The cell linking method is Andree's thing. I have used it before, but can't remember enough about it or find other links where he explains it to be able to give you a walk through on the setup of it.

 

When I have something like this, I generally keep a "Master List" somewhere with all of the options listed out in their own cell. Then I can copy/paste this list similar to how Mike explains above.

Andrée Starå

Hi Thomas,

The solution Mike mentioned is something I've shared previously. I'll get back to the post with the link when I'm back at the office. 

Hope that helps!

Have a fantastic day!

Best,

Andrée Starå

Workflow Consultant @ Get Done Consulting

Mike Wilday

here is a rough screenshot of what that would look like... you'd have to cell link each row the first time around. It could get tedious and you would have to consider the total number of linked cells allowed in each sheet. There are limitations. The quickest way would be to copy/paste. 

Debbie Sawyer

What you need is Smarter Dropdown List Manager!

Have you seen this update from Smarter Business Processes - I think this will answer your requirements.

https://www.smarterbusinessprocesses.com/smarter-dropdown-list-manager-2/

At SBP we have been developing a lot of apps like Smarter Dropdown List Manager - worth a look at our website! Let me know what you think?

Kind regards

​Debbie Sawyer Consultant & Training Manager

 

 

Andrée Starå

Hi Thomas,

Here is a workaround that gives you the possibility to use lists of information and choose from that list inside a sheet (doesn't work with mobile, only desktop)

I'm utilizing cell-linking for this workaround. The main sheet is linked to the dropdown/list sheet.

Please see the attached link/screenshot for more information.

Example of dropdown/list

Hope that helps and, let me know if you have any questions!

Best,

Andrée Starå

Workflow Consultant @ Get Done Consulting