Why can't you trigger workflows with linked cells?

Joel Turlington

Why can't you trigger workflows with linked cells?

Genevieve P.

Hi Joel,

As you noted, the Copy row and Move row workflows are not currently able to be triggered from a cell link.

Anyone who can make edits to the sheet (either directly, through a report, or through an update or approval request) can trigger an automated move or copy rows action, but this does not include cell links. Please submit an Enhancement Request when you have a moment!

Thanks,

Genevieve

Andrée Starå

Hi Joel,

You can!

What isn’t working for you?

I hope that helps!

Have a fantastic weekend!

Best,

Andrée Starå

Workflow Consultant / CEO @ WORK BOLD

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Joel Turlington

Well I am just trying to set a trigger that will copy rows to another sheet.  The sheet I am creating the workflow on is all linked cells.  When I go to the primary sheet and set a cell to trigger the workflow nothing happens.  The trigger is a value, a percentage to be exact,  I have verified it is enabled and they all the requirements have been met for the trigger. 

Genevieve P.

Hi Joel,

As you noted, the Copy row and Move row workflows are not currently able to be triggered from a cell link.

Anyone who can make edits to the sheet (either directly, through a report, or through an update or approval request) can trigger an automated move or copy rows action, but this does not include cell links. Please submit an Enhancement Request when you have a moment!

Thanks,

Genevieve

Andrée Starå

@Joel Turlington

Ok. Yes, that is the exception, the cell-links doesn't work as Genevieve answered.

Ramsay Zaki

Is this only for Copy/Move Workflows or all workflows? I am trying to send a alert based upon the value of a linked cell. I do see that the "last Updated" date does update on the sheet (so I know the sheet is registering that there was an update to the row). But, the workflow to send the alert isn't triggering.

My workaround has been to just check for the condition every hour rather than having it run instantly when the linked cell value changes. But, that isn't an ideal workaround.

Genevieve P.

Hi @Ramsay Zaki

Actions that will automatically modify the sheet cannot be triggered by inbound cell-links or cross-sheet formulas. This means: Approval requests, Move rows, Copy rows, Lock rows, and Unlock rows. (See the last bullet point in this Help Article.)

This means that a regular Alert workflow is able to be triggered by a linked cell. Do you receive other alerts without an issue? If you set up the same workflow with the same trigger on a different sheet, does this work? Are you receiving the notifications within Smartsheet (the bell icon), but not email notifications?