Columns Moving Automatically

TJohnson

Has anyone had any issues with column headers moving around the sheet automatically. I have multiple sheets referencing each other using vlookups to report back and also to use tools I have created. Therefore the location of certain columns are highly critical to my companies daily workflows. I have already confirmed that no user with Admin status is moving these columns as their are only 4 of us. I have never had this problem in 5 years of using the product. 

 

Please Help.

Andrée Starå

Hi,

If you haven’t already, I would recommend that you reach out to the Smartsheet Support Team. Smartsheet Support Team

Hope that helps!

Have a fantastic week!

Best,

Andrée Starå

Workflow Consultant / CEO @ WORK BOLD

Paul Newcome

I haven't experienced this, nor have I heard of anyone else experiencing this.

 

One suggestion I will make (aside from contacting support) is to look into replacing your VLOOKUP formulas with INDEX/MATCH. It is much more flexible and will not break if columns are moved around on a sheet since you are referencing the columns individually instead of across a table.

Andrée Starå

Have you checked the Activity Log for clues?

TJohnson

I submitted a ticket with Smart Sheet support on Tuesday and here I am on Thursday with still no response. The columns remained stable for 2 days and then i logged in after my production meeting this morning and my column had moved again to the end of the sheet. Very disappointed in the lack of response from the support team on this but thank you for your comment.

Andrée Starå

Happy to help!

I'd be happy to take a look!

Can you share the sheet with me?

TJohnson

I actually did this morning on your recommendation after the column had moved again. I saw that one of my users had a 'Column Reordered' event in the log. However this particular user does not have the correct permissions in the sheet to move columns so I'm not sure how this is possible. I just double checked his permissions and he is just an editor. 

Andrée Starå

Ok.

That is even more strange!

I'd wait for Smartsheet Support to get back to you!

Please keep us updated on what the error was!

Paul Newcome

If the sheet is in a workspace, also check his permission level to that as well.

Karen Reeder

I am having the same issue. I removed all Admin rights to my sheet and its still moving the columns around. I have a move set up from one sheet to my sheet, Data Meshes and formulas but not sure what about any of what I listed would move the columns and rearrange them. Please help. Thanks,

Julie Becker

I know this is an old topic, but its one of the dozens complaining about this very issue and seems Smartsheets has not helped anyone yet (1st entry i can find - 2019).

I too am having this issue (as of today 02.15.2024), and have removed rights, removed filters, & removed automation's and when "unlicensed users" (within the workspace and / or sheet) go in and update a few cells, their activity log shows rows/columns reordered, which by Smartsheets definition "its not possible", yet here we are years later (1st entry was in 2019 on this topic).

One thing i am starting to think could be the culprit is Dynamic View. This sheet i am having issues with is tied to that, but so are other sheets and they dont have this problem. There are no other reports or links in/out of this log causing problems, so its either a hidden nightmare or something to do with the browser/software/user.

To rule out every possible software scenario, i plan on recreating that sheet by exporting it, fix errors that were possibly hidden, clean up everything possible, then re-upload and grant only a few users to edit only using the desktop program and then have them test with 3 different browsers (Chrome, Fox, MEdge). Another possible test i will consider is removing the conditional formatting as well. If the problem stops after each phase of testing mentioned above, then the bug would be tied to the original sheet, but if it still occurs, then its a bigger issue that Smartsheets will have to investigate (bugging them till they respond if we have too).

JenniferN

We are having this issue as well.