Populate a Date field when a status is changed

Detrie Zacharias · 08/21/20

I need to populate a "Start Date" field to TODAY() when my Status is changed to "In Progress"

I can write a formula but the Start Date is removed when the status changes to "Completed".

How can I populate the field and keep the value even if the status is changed?

SoS | Dan Palenchar · 08/21/20

The problem with using the TODAY() function is that it the date will change every day. There are 2 ways (I know of) to do what you want to do:

1) Use the API to populate the Start Date cell when your Status changes to in Progress

2) Add an auto-modifed date column to your sheet and use a copy row automation to copy the row when the status changes to In Progress. Use a lookup field to reference the modified field in the sheet with the copy to return that.

I made a video showing how to do this using method #2, you can see it at https://youtu.be/tA7Ti6TKkw8

SoS | Dan Palenchar · 08/21/20

The problem with using the TODAY() function is that it the date will change every day. There are 2 ways (I know of) to do what you want to do:

1) Use the API to populate the Start Date cell when your Status changes to in Progress

2) Add an auto-modifed date column to your sheet and use a copy row automation to copy the row when the status changes to In Progress. Use a lookup field to reference the modified field in the sheet with the copy to return that.

I made a video showing how to do this using method #2, you can see it at https://youtu.be/tA7Ti6TKkw8

Andrée Starå · 08/21/20

Hi @Stavros_McGillicuddy

Please have a look at my post below with a method I developed.

More info:

https://community.smartsheet.com/discussion/68589/lock-or-store-date-value-solution-without-using-zapier

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!

Detrie Zacharias · 08/21/20

Thank you both.. Your replies were pretty much the same.

@SoS | Dan Palenchar I used your option 2. I must say, using YT was so very helpful and easy to follow especially with the narration. I sure others begin using this method to reply

This is resolved.. Thank you