Comparing Links between two Smartsheets

Debra Platt

Hello! I have two Smartsheet's which are identical except for links are not consistent between the two...any thoughts on how to identify links that are not on both Smartsheet's? There is no way to filter to linked cells only, or run report that shows linked cells only per Smartsheet help folks. They suggested asking here - thank you in advance!

Genevieve P.

Hi Debra,

If your sheets are identical except for these linked values, I would create a column to auto-number my rows in each sheet (see here). I would also add a helper column to each sheet, a checkbox column, perhaps called "Correct Link". Then you could create a Report pulling in the entirety of both sheets, with the criteria being that the Correct Link checkbox is not checked.

Next, Sort the Report based on the Row number column. This will bring up row number 1 from each sheet side by side, so you can ensure the data is identical. If the rows are good, you can check the box in your helper "Correct Link" column directly from within the Report and save it - thus making the rows disappear. In the end you'll only be left with the rows that are not the same between each sheet. You can then go into the sheets and filter them by that un-checked box to make the adjustments as needed.

I can provide screen captures of my idea if it doesn't make sense, just let me know. Do you think this would work? If not, it would be very helpful to see screen captures of both of your sheets so we can help further (but please block out any sensitive data).

Thanks!

Genevieve

Genevieve P.

Hi Debra,

Wonderful, thank you!

So in your Report, the "Task Name" column from your sheet is titled "Primary" as it's the Primary column in both of your sheets.

You can click-and-drag the column name up at the top to stretch out the column and make sure the entire task name is easily read in the Report! This will be displayed next to the Sheet link, on the left, so you can compare where each row comes from.

Paul Newcome

There is no way to pull a comprehensive list of all of the links. The only way I can think of is by going from link to link to see the differences.

@Andrée Starå, @Genevieve P, @L@123, @Mike Wilday... Do y'all have any other ideas?

Andrée Starå

Hi @Debra Platt

Not sure I follow!

Are you talking about cell-links or cross-sheet formulas or something else?

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!

Genevieve P.

Hi Debra,

If your sheets are identical except for these linked values, I would create a column to auto-number my rows in each sheet (see here). I would also add a helper column to each sheet, a checkbox column, perhaps called "Correct Link". Then you could create a Report pulling in the entirety of both sheets, with the criteria being that the Correct Link checkbox is not checked.

Next, Sort the Report based on the Row number column. This will bring up row number 1 from each sheet side by side, so you can ensure the data is identical. If the rows are good, you can check the box in your helper "Correct Link" column directly from within the Report and save it - thus making the rows disappear. In the end you'll only be left with the rows that are not the same between each sheet. You can then go into the sheets and filter them by that un-checked box to make the adjustments as needed.

I can provide screen captures of my idea if it doesn't make sense, just let me know. Do you think this would work? If not, it would be very helpful to see screen captures of both of your sheets so we can help further (but please block out any sensitive data).

Thanks!

Genevieve

Paul Newcome

@Genevieve P That's a great idea. It still requires manual evaluation, but it definitely makes things much easier and more organized.

Debra Platt

That makes sense, thank you! I'm sure that will work....

Genevieve P.

No problem! It still requires quite a bit of manual work as Paul said, but should hopefully help!

Debra Platt

Correct link.jpg

Hi Genevieve P! Hoping you will see this, I followed your steps (thank you) but the report lists the sheet and not the tasks on each sheet...I'm sure its user error....thoughts?

Genevieve P.

Hi Debra,

Reports will automatically bring in a column to show what sheet the rows are found on - you can hide this column if it's not needed, or make it smaller.

It looks like you have included the Primary column in the Report, and the RowID which is great! If you have more columns you want to appear in the Report (such as the one that includes the links you're referring to) you can include them by clicking on the Columns button in the Report Builder:

Here's an article on Reports that may help: https://help.smartsheet.com/learning-track/smartsheet-intermediate/reports

Cheers!

Genevieve

Debra Platt

Hi Genevieve,

Sorry, but the challenge is the report is not displaying the rows (task names) , its displaying the sheet name....not the individual rows.… the linking is done at the task level.... thank you! I appreciate the help...!

Genevieve P.

Hi Debra,

Could you post an image of how one of the sheets is set up, so I can see what you mean by "task name"?

Debra Platt

Sample 1.JPG

here ya go! thank you

Genevieve P.

Hi Debra,

Wonderful, thank you!

So in your Report, the "Task Name" column from your sheet is titled "Primary" as it's the Primary column in both of your sheets.

You can click-and-drag the column name up at the top to stretch out the column and make sure the entire task name is easily read in the Report! This will be displayed next to the Sheet link, on the left, so you can compare where each row comes from.

Debra Platt

Thank you again! Very helpful!

Genevieve P.

No problem! Glad that worked for you 🙂