How do I count only the top level Parent Row

Damon Darais

HELP...I am so frustrated. How do I count only the top level Parent rows not all Parent rows. I have added a helper checkbox column and have used the following formula.

=IF(COUNT(CHILDREN([Task Name]7)) > 0, 1)

This works great as long as there is only one level of Children. But as soon as I add sub parent rows they become checked as well. How do I make a formula that will only check the box for the Top Level Parent rows only, and even if multiple layers of sub parents are added the helper row will not become checked.

PLEASE HELP ME..THANKS

Andrée Starå

Hi @Damon Darais

Try something like this in a so-called helper column that you can call Level.

=IF(COUNT(CHILDREN([Task Name]@row)) > 0, COUNT(ANCESTORS()) + 1)

Did that work?

I hope that helps!

Be safe and have a fantastic week!

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!

Andrée Starå

Hi @Damon Darais

Try something like this in a so-called helper column that you can call Level.

=IF(COUNT(CHILDREN([Task Name]@row)) > 0, COUNT(ANCESTORS()) + 1)

Did that work?

I hope that helps!

Be safe and have a fantastic week!

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!

Damon Darais

YOU DA MAN!!! It worked. Not only now can I identify the Top Parent row, but I can now run reports on the other Parent levels as well. Thanks again for your help and have a great weekend as well.

Andrée Starå

@Damon Darais

Thanks for the compliment! 😉

You're more than welcome!

George Speier

@Andrée Starå That answer works great if a sheet has only one Level 1 item. But what if there are multiple Level 1 items in a sheet? How do I count just the Level 1 items? Any clues would be appreciated!

Level 1

Level 2

Level 2

Level 3

Level 3

Level 1

Level 2

Level 2

Level 3

Level 3

Andrée Starå

Hi @George Speier

I hope you're well and safe!

First, add the helper column like the one below to get the level.

Try something like this in a so-called helper column that you can call Level.

=IF(COUNT(CHILDREN([Task Name]@row)) > 0, COUNT(ANCESTORS()) + 1)

Secondly, try something like this in the count column.

=COUNTIFS(Level:Level, 1)

Did that work/help?

I hope that helps!

Be safe, and have a fantastic week!

Best,

Andrée Starå | Workflow Consultant / CEO @ WORK BOLD

✅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!

George B

@Andrée Starå That works! Thank you so much!

Andrée Starå

@George B

Excellent!

Happy to help!

✅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!