Automated Emails and their Date Setting

Amanda Merrigan

We are receiving automated emails with the following date format.

However, our column settings are set in this format.

It's causing a lot of confusion as some people read the email date as Feb 4, but others April 2 - hence the reason for changing the column date formats.

Is there a way to get the column formatting to come through in email? I currently have my personal settings set to English (United States).

Thanks!

Andrée Starå

Hi Amanda,

Unfortunately, as far as I know, it's not possible at the moment, but it's an excellent idea!

Please submit an Enhancement Request when you have a moment to have your vote added

I hope that helps!

Have a fantastic week!

Best,

Andrée Starå

Workflow Consultant / CEO @ WORK BOLD

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Paul Newcome

An option would be to customize the message and use a placeholder to pull the date.

"Dear John Doe,

The Anticipated Start Date is {{Anticipated Start Date}}."

Amanda Merrigan

Thanks Paul - as we would have multiple rows of information come through at once, I don't think this would work but it's a great thought!

Paul Newcome

It only works for Automations that are set to send "Right Away". If you have multiple rows that would be triggering the automation at the same time and the information for all of those rows is in the same alert, then you are correct that this wouldn't work.

I know it isn't ideal, but...

What if you were to use a text/number type column with a formula to convert the date to the desired format then include THAT column in the alert instead of the actual date column. Would that work? This new column could be hidden after setup to keep the sheet looking clean.

Joshua Salaam

Regarding Pauls solution of: The Anticipated Start Date is {{Anticipated Start Date}}

Thats what I had already done. So I thought it would have pulled the date exactly as it was in the column. But instead of pulling it as it is, it changed it. My challenge was exactly what the original question was from above. I don't know why Smartsheet's would not just pull it as it is from the column if I'm using the {{ }} format.

Paul Newcome

@Joshua Salaam What do you mean that it was "changed"?