Creating custom "enterprise managed metadata" column types for use in multiple sheets?

Jamie Bedford

Hi there,

Is there a way to create a new custom column type? For example, I'd like to create a column type "Department" which would be a drop-down that would be populated with a managed list of official department names.

Ideally, this list of departments would be managed in one location, and then if any department names change and the list is updated, then everywhere this column type exists would automatically have the new choices instead of the old ones in its dropdown selection box.

(Probably not a good idea to automatically update values in rows, though -- that kind of cascade update could be risky.)

As-is, people creating sheets need to create a column in each sheet and populate the dropdown with what they think is the current list, and then all of those places have to be updated any time there is a change. It'd be great to have a "single source of truth" for this kind of data!

I suppose we could create an authoritative sheet with this list, but then how would we tie a column's options to that list?

Thanks much!

Jamie

Andrée Starå

Hi Jamie,

Unfortunately, it's not possible at the moment in native Smartsheet, but it's an excellent idea!

Please submit an Enhancement Request when you have a moment

As a possible workaround, and a solution that would be perfect for this use-case is the premium add-on, Data Uploader. Is that an option?

More info: 

https://www.smartsheet.com/marketplace/premium-apps/data-uploader

Would that work?

I hope that helps!

Be safe and have a fantastic week!

Best,

Andrée Starå

Workflow Consultant / CEO @ WORK BOLD

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PPS Solutions

Hi Jamie we have an app that provides this capability, drop us a line if you would like a free trial to test it out.

https://projectplanservices.co.uk/dropdownsync

Regards

Peter