Help with Auto-populating dates

Kelly Leevey

Hi All, 

I have been trying to figure out how to auto-populate dates.  I've figured out that if I enter a date, type in the desired duration of when I'd like the task due, it populates the due date for me.  All of that seems like it's project in the future and I'm running into this particular problem.

Let's say I need to complete a training for people on 09/22/2019.  I have a task that needs to be completed 2 weeks BEFORE 09/22/2019.  How do I get those dates to auto-populate?  So far, it just projects out 2 weeks after the training.  I am a baby level using formulas (only really know the sum function)...can anyone help me figure this scenario out?

 

Thanks!

Andrée Starå

Hi Kelly,

I'd recommend using Dependencies for this.

More info: https://help.smartsheet.com/articles/765727-enabling-dependencies-using-predecessors

Would that work?

Have a fantastic weekend!

Best,

Andrée Starå

Workflow Consultant @ Get Done Consulting

Jennifer Whitlock

Hi Kelly,

 

My company has static completion dates for projects with tasks that need to be completed a certain amount of time before the completion date. 

 

The way that we do this is with Completion Date, Due Date, and Date Mod columns.

So, if a task is due 14 days BEFORE the Completion Date, I set [DateMod]1 to -14. Then I use the following formula in [DueDate]1 : 

=[Date Mod]1 + $[CompletionDate]$1

This calculates -14 days from the Completion as the due date.

 

The dependencies didn't fit our needs since the Completion Date would sometimes change. This formula automatically updates all of our due dates when those changes did occur. I hope this may be helpful!

 

Cheers,

Jennifer

Andrée Starå

Hi Jennifer,

That' another excellent way to set it up.

Thanks for sharing!

Have a fantastic weekend!

Best,

Andrée

Kelly Leevey

Thank you, Jennifer!  This is so helpful!

Kelly Leevey

Thank you, Andrée!

Andrée Starå

Happy to help!