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Feature Request - Auto format for ranges

Brad Jones
Brad Jones ✭✭✭✭✭✭
edited 12/09/19 in Archived 2016 Posts

It would be extremely convenient if we could set our autoformatting rules for a Row, a range, or even the whole sheet, instead of just one column at a time as is the current configuration.

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EXAMPLE:

I have 15 columns that I would like to apply the same 6 formatting rules to. Β Currently, that means that I have to define 90 individual rules in the conditional formatting toolbar!!! Β That is extremely heavy. Β 

If I could set a range of cells in the autoformatting toolbar to apply the rules to, then this would mean that I only have to define 6 individual rules. Β That would reduce the load by a factor of 15x!!

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It would also be good if we could clone a group of rules at the same time. Β Currently, you can only clone one rule at a time. Β Based on current functionality, if I have the same 6 rules for all 15 columns, then I have to do the clone process 85 times.

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Please look into this and decrease the undue workload needed for those of us who use conditional formatting on our sheets... which I think is a great deal of the SS populace.

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UPDATE - Having 90+ conditional rules applied to your sheet really slows it down as wellΒ Frown

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UPDATE - I had to delete 60% of the rows in my sheet because they slowed the system down too much. Β I have 25 columns by 350 rows with 90 rules and several formulas. Β Zero links. Β It is still really slow to load. Β It takes it an average of 10seconds for the screen to catch up with all of the formatting rules. Β Really wish I knew a method to speed them up, even if it's just reordering the rules. Β If Β I knew they were applied in a certain order, then I could arrange them in that order.

ConditionalFormattingFlaw.png

Comments

  • KrisWalsh
    KrisWalsh ✭✭✭✭✭

    You've got my vote!

    I have 130+ Conditional Formatting rules in one of my solutions. This would reduce that number by 99.

    Conditional Formatting - Range.png

  • Dietrich Koch
    Dietrich Koch ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    edited 07/04/16

    Brad/Kris,Β 

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    OFF TOPIC!

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    How did you make these large screenshots of the conditional formatting popup??

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    Since its currently not possible to print/export Sights I'm still looking for a tool to make screenshots of Sights larger than the screen. All the tools I found were able to make a snapshot of a complete html page, but Sights are scrolling within a Smartsheet-frame not within the browser page...

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    I just tried to enlarge the popup for conditional formatting the way both of you did, but I could not get it larger than the "bottom" of the sreen.

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    Or did you just skip your monitor?Β Smile

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    BestΒ 

    Dietrich

  • Hi Brad and Kris-- Thanks for this feedback and for sharing those captures of your existing formatting rules! I've included a link to this post in the enhancement requests I filed on your behalf so our Product and Development teams can see how big of an impact this would have on your work.Β 

  • Brad Jones
    Brad Jones ✭✭✭✭✭✭

    @ Dietrich,

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    I use a vertical monitor next to my primary monitor. Β In addition, I zoomed out of the screen to capture as much as possible. Β ("Ctrl" + "-" keys)

  • Dietrich Koch
    Dietrich Koch ✭✭✭✭✭✭

    Brad,

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    ah ok that works - good tip also for the printing problem with Sights.

    Have to check it.

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    Best

    Dietrich

  • KrisWalsh
    KrisWalsh ✭✭✭✭✭

    I also have a vertical monitor (in portrait mode) and use SnagIt.

  • J. Craig Williams
    J. Craig Williams ✭✭✭✭✭✭

    Thanks for the Update on slowness Brad - that was the first question I was going to ask. I've significantly cut back on conditional formatting and nested formulas.

    The recent release was touted as helping, but I've not seen a change unless it is to make it worse (that's the feedback I get from my customers too)

    Β 

    Craig

  • Brad Jones
    Brad Jones ✭✭✭✭✭✭

    BUMPing this thread.
    Don't want you guys to forget.
    It's still very labor intensive to set up autoformatting one column at a time.

    and

    It's still very resource intensive on your system if I have to set 135 formatting rules for a sheet. Β Slows it down noticeably.

  • KrisWalsh
    KrisWalsh ✭✭✭✭✭

    Bump! Β I'm in the same boat as Brad!

    PLEASE up the priority on this one! Β TY!

  • Brad Jones
    Brad Jones ✭✭✭✭✭✭

    Amen. Β If you have 4 conditional formats, and 17 columns.... ouch.

This discussion has been closed.