formulas under child rows excluded as auto-number column

@Help

I have a master sheet with projects that auto-populate from a form that requestors fill out as needed. 

I created a column named "Request Number" that is a Auto-Number column type. However, I have in the bottom of the page multiple lines with formulas that I use only for my dashboard and although I have all this formulas as child rows and a major Parent row called "Formulas" they all generate a number on my "Request Number" column. Is there a way to avoid all this child rows from generating a number? 

Paul Newcome

Create a helper column and duplicate the auto-number column in all rows other than those.

Debbie Sawyer

Hi

No, I don't think it is possible to exclude rows from receiving an automatic number when using an Autonumber data type.

However, you could do your summaries (functions area at the foot of your sheet) in 2 different ways which would remove them off the sheet and therefore your sheet would just be the log of new requests (where the autonumber would be relevant on all rows).

a) you could set up a new grid sheet for the stats that drive your dashboard and use "Reference another sheet" area of the formula builder to grab the data you want in your stats.

b) you could (if available to you) use the New Summaries area on the right hand vertical toolbar to perform the sums that you are using in the footer area of your sheet.

I hope this helps, come back if you'd like me to explain further.

Kind regards

​Debbie Sawyer Consultant & Training Manager

 

 

Paul Newcome

It is not possible to get the autonumber column itself to ignore rows, but you can use a helper column to pull the autonumber column data for rows that you specify and then hide the autonumber column.

 

You can also skip the autonumber column all together and use a text/number column with a formula in it (typically some take on a COUNTIFS function).