How can I lock/unlock individual cells in a row, without locking the whole row or whole column?

I am developing a "approval" workflow Smartsheet.

Selected approvers need to update certain columns in a newly added row, but other columns must be kept locked until "their turn" comes to be opened for update, contingent on the approval of the previous approvers

So locking a whole row, or a whole column will not do the trick as it will interfere with the sequential hand-off of approvers - all working on the same row.

Is there a way to accomplish this in Smartsheet?

Thank you, so much for your guidance.

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Accepted answers

Andrée Starå

Hi David,

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

As a possible workaround, the third-party service, Zapier, could be an excellent option for this scenario.

Is that an option for you?

I hope that helps!

Be safe and have a fantastic week!

Best,

Andrée Starå

Workflow Consultant / CEO @ WORK BOLD

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Andrée Starå

@David SCOTT Johnson

You're more than welcome!

Yes, you could add the primary value to the subject/message with the placeholder feature.

More info:

https://help.smartsheet.com/articles/2477796-dynamically-add-cell-data-in-the-subject-and-body-of-request-messages

Would that work?

All comments

Andrée Starå

Hi David,

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

As a possible workaround, the third-party service, Zapier, could be an excellent option for this scenario.

Is that an option for you?

I hope that helps!

Be safe and have a fantastic week!

Best,

Andrée Starå

Workflow Consultant / CEO @ WORK BOLD

David SCOTT Johnson

Andree,

Thank you very much for the rapid response. I will fill out the enhancement request. Further, I will investigate if Verizon has licenses to the Zapier add-on.

I am a new user, so am not sure of the protocol for engaging in this Community. I'd like to ask a follow-up question here, within this string. If you think I should make this a fresh question to the Community. Just let me know.

Here goes:

The solution can reasonably include sending targeted (individual) forms to the "sequential" approvers. With each approver only receiving the columns they should be updating. However, I need to send them at least the value in the Primary column so that they know what request is being reviewed for approval.

When I create the form, as individual cell locking is not an option, the primary column remains open, and could be accidentally changed.

As I do not want them to touch the value in the primary column, do you have suggestions on how I can safe-guard it (short of locking)? Perhaps put the value in the primary column in the subject of the e-mail and keep it out the form?

Thank you again, Andree.

Regards,

Dave

Andrée Starå

@David SCOTT Johnson

You're more than welcome!

Yes, you could add the primary value to the subject/message with the placeholder feature.

More info:

https://help.smartsheet.com/articles/2477796-dynamically-add-cell-data-in-the-subject-and-body-of-request-messages

Would that work?

Andrée Starå

@David SCOTT Johnson

You're more than welcome!

You could use the Update Request feature, and then you can select what columns to include, and combined with placeholders, it sounds like it should work for what you need.

What do you think?

More info:

https://help.smartsheet.com/learning-track/smartsheet-intermediate/update-requests

David SCOTT Johnson

Thanks again, Andree.

The suggestion of adding the dynamic cell data worked like a charm.

Regards,

Dave

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