Automation based on Sheet Summary

Jessy Martin

Can I set up an automation based on a field in a sheet summary?

What I'm ultimately trying to do is set up a review/approval workflow for an entire spreadsheet. Everything I've tried so far (adding status column to the sheet, using a separate summary sheet to track approvals, etc) has been fairly clunky for our team so I'm looking for a more simple, streamlined solution that is quick to set up.

Andrée Starå

Hi @Jessy Martin

Unfortunately, it's not possible at the moment to base automation on the Sheet Summary, but it's an excellent idea!

Please submit an Enhancement Request when you have a moment

As a possible workaround, you could add a so-called helper column that would be linked to the Sheet Summary, and then you can reference that in the automation.

Would that work?

I hope that helps!

Be safe and have a fantastic weekend!

Best,

Andrée Starå

Workflow Consultant / CEO @ WORK BOLD

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Andrée Starå

Hi @Jessy Martin

Unfortunately, it's not possible at the moment to base automation on the Sheet Summary, but it's an excellent idea!

Please submit an Enhancement Request when you have a moment

As a possible workaround, you could add a so-called helper column that would be linked to the Sheet Summary, and then you can reference that in the automation.

Would that work?

I hope that helps!

Be safe and have a fantastic weekend!

Best,

Andrée Starå

Workflow Consultant / CEO @ WORK BOLD

✅Did my post(s) help or answer your question or solve your problem? Please help the Community by marking it as the accepted answer/helpful. It will make it easier for others to find a solution or help to answer!

Jessy Martin

Hi @Andrée Starå !

I think I see what you mean, so use a formula (=[summary field]#) to make the approval stage appear in a column of the spreadsheet and then use that column for the automation. Let me know if you had something else in mind- I didn't know you could do that so that's super helpful!

Thanks so much! 😊

Andrée Starå

@Jessy Martin

Yes, that's correct.

Excellent!

You're more than welcome!

MMerin

I think I am missing something in this formula (=[summary field]#). Is this actually how it is written except with the summary field name. Example (=[Total Work Orders]#)? I tried this with and without the brackets, they do not make sense, and I still get an error. Additional, this would be listed in its own column on the worksheet, correct?

Andrée Starå

Hi @MMerin

I hope you're well and safe!

Yes, correct.

Can you share some screenshots? (Delete/replace any confidential/sensitive information before sharing) That would make it easier to help.

I hope that helps!

Be safe, and have a fantastic week!

Best,

Andrée Starå | Workflow Consultant / CEO @ WORK BOLD

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MMerin

As you can see, my work around was to add the same formula for both the sheet summary and the column formula. This works but there are time when I need to just reference the sheet summary details.

Andrée Starå

@MMerin

The Sheet Summary reference would be [Total WO]#. Doesn't that work?

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MMerin

Yes, thank you! Is there a way to reference that in an automation without having a dedicated column?

Andrée Starå

@MMerin

Happy to help!

Unfortunately, it's not currently possible to reference a Sheet Summary Field without connecting it to a column in the sheet, but it's an excellent idea!

Please submit this as a Product Feedback or Idea (If it hasn't been added already) when you have a moment.

✅Remember! Did my post(s) help or answer your question or solve your problem? Please support the Community by marking it Insightful/Vote Up/Awesome or/and as the accepted answer. It will make it easier for others to find a solution or help to answer!