Automation 'Copy to another sheet' doesn't work

Stelina Todorova

I have set up an automation rule to, when triggered, copy rows to another sheet. My trigger is a certain field that changes from 0 to 1.

I've tried a couple of times and non of my rows are copied.

To test it, I added to the same automation rule to not only copy my rows, but also send me a notification when this field changes.

The strangest thing - I do receive the notification when the automation is triggered, however, rows are still not copied. (It's not due to space constraints in the destination sheet - it's empty)

Thanks in advance!

Andrée Starå

@Stelina Todorova, Strange!

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

Keep us updated on what you find out!

Keith Barres

Hello,

Can you post the automation rules here? Also I had this issue sometimes and it was because I was not hitting save when making the change which then actions the trigger.

Regards,

Andrée Starå

Hi Stelina,

Are you using a formula to trigger the automation?

Can you describe your process in more detail and maybe share the sheet(s)/copies of the sheet(s) or some screenshots? (Delete/replace any confidential/sensitive information before sharing) That would make it easier to help. (share too, andree@getdone.se)

I hope that helps!

Have a fantastic week!

Best,

Andrée Starå

Workflow Consultant / CEO @ WORK BOLD

Stelina Todorova

Hi Keith,

Thanks for your quick reaction.

I do press 'Save' every time, so it cannot be this.

I am attaching a screenshot of my automation rule. I've blurred the field names due to confidentiality.

Thanks!

Stelina

Andrée Starå

@Stelina Todorova

Have a look here as well for reasons it might not be working.

https://help.smartsheet.com/articles/2479626-automatically-move-or-copy-rows-between-sheets

Stelina Todorova

Hi Andree,

Thanks for your reply!

I've seen this article on the Smartsheet website, and proofing is disabled on both of my sheets.

Also, yes, I am using a formula cell as a trigger for the automation to move the sheets.

Let's say I have three fields, Date1, Date2 and Formula.

I compare the values of two date cells:

Date1 is a locked field and cannot be changed, as this is a "Planned due date".

Date2 is a field that can change and reflects the "Actual completion date". It is also a formula field, linked to another sheet, where the date is manually entered.

My formula in field "Formula" states IF(Date1=Date2, 0, 1)

So let's say Date1 and Date2 had the following values:

Date1: 21/02/2020

Date2: 21/02/2020

Then, the value in "Formula" would be 0.

Now, since the "Actual completion date" has changed, the values of Date1 and Date2 are the following:

Date1: 21/02/2020

Date2: 26/02/2020

Then, the value in "Formula" would change to 1.

Upon this trigger, my automation should send me a notification and move the row to another sheet.

I do receive the notification, but the row doesn't move to my destination sheet.

I hope this explains my issue better.

Thanks for your support!

Best,

Stelina

Stelina Todorova

Update: Even more strange. Now I noticed that the automation is working, but only sometimes. And I cannot seem to figure out what's the trigger for it to not work.

Andrée Starå

@Stelina Todorova

Happy to help!

Could this be the reason for it not being consistent?

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!

Stelina Todorova

Hi Andree,

This might be it.

As explained previously, the Date2 is a formula linked to another sheet. When I change the value at that original sheet and the value in the Date2 field is updated based on the formula, I do receive a notification, however, the row does not get copied to my destination sheet.

However, if I were to change the value of Date2 directly manually (disregarding the formula), then I both get a notification and the row is copied to the destination sheet.

Therefore, the cell link trigger works for the notification, but not for copying the row.

Is there a way around this?

Thanks!

Stelina

Jeff Reisman

Create an extra hidden column that contains a similar IF statement, so that when the field in question updates from 0 to 1, it sets a conditional value in the hidden column, and that triggers the copy to the other sheet. Then your copy isn't being triggered directly by the cell link, but as a result of the cell link updating a field.

Stelina Todorova

This still doesn't work. I tried it and still no rows are copied to my destination sheet. When I receive my notification with change in the sheet, it says the changes are driven by cell-link, so still not copying the row.

Any other ideas?

Thanks everyone for your help!

Andrée Starå

@Stelina Todorova, Strange!

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

Keep us updated on what you find out!

Ruban John

Hello All,

The same thing happens with my automation workflow as well. It doesn't notify the user in the contact cell and move/copy the row to the new sheet.

Susan Hildebrant

I am having the exact same issue. What is even stranger is that I have a duplicate set up that copies the row to another sheet and it works perfectly.

I also noted that sometimes the automation works when first set up, but doesn't work after that. It is very frustrating.

Susan Hildebrant

OK, now the workflow copies one column, but not the rest of the columns. TIme to call Support!!!

Becky Horton

I am having almost an identical issue: A formula triggers the change when a date has passed, no cell linking, permissions are good, no proofing interference, etc.. @Susan Hildebrant , were they able to tell you what was wrong?