How do you enable a hyperlink in notification emails without sharing the sheet?

Jacqueline Casillas

I understand that if you share the Smartsheet in the notification email, you can easily share an included hyperlink that is clickable for the receiver.

In my case, I do not want to share the sheet, but only the specific field that contains the link. The issue is that the link is not clickable; the user has to copy and paste the link in a browser window. This link will differ for each individual.

I have reviewed the following page but it does not solve my problem: https://help.smartsheet.com/articles/2479256-customize-the-content-of-your-alerts-and-requests

Is there a workaround for this issue? I can add html tags to the link to enable it in the email, but the tags show as well and it looks very unprofessional.

Thank you in advance!

Joseph Gentile

Hi Jacqueline,

Have you tried using dynamic cell references within the body of the message. {{Column Header}}

In the body of the message, put the column with the hyperlink in double brackets. I believe it will display the text of that cell and show as a hyperlink in the email.

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

Jacqueline Casillas

Hi Joseph,

I used the dynamic cell references within the body of the message.

The link displays correctly when the email is sent, but only if the sheet is shared as well.

It does not display correctly even with the dynamic cell reference within the body of the message if the sheet is not shared in the email.

I made a duplicate of the workflow and changed the access permissions to unrestricted. I am performing a test run to see if that is why the link is not working correctly.

Joseph Gentile

Hmm? Can you screenshot the workflow and an example of the email?

If you select “Message Only,” there should not be a link to the sheet.

Ami Veltrie

@Joseph Gentile @Andrée Starå

Hi Joseph and Andree!

I'm having this issue as well. The hyperlink isn't coming through.

I've already tried the blank space above and below trick, didn't work.

Outlined text refers to a link:

Here's the resulting email. The outlined text is the "project dashboard".

Joseph Gentile

Interesting. Out of curiosity, what software do you use for email? I use Microsoft Outlook, and from the desktop version, the URL comes over as a clickable link. But from the mobile app, the link comes over as 'text' and not a clickable link.

I wonder if this glitch is related to type of email software used by the end-user.

Jacqueline Casillas

Hi Joseph,

I have verified with multiple users that the link is clickable in Outlook Desktop, but is does not work in the web version of Outlook.

Thank you for taking the time to respond and comment everyone!

mdFleet

I'm wondering if this has been resolved. Most of our customer use the web version of Outlook and they/we are unable click on the link. It works fine on phone (IOS)

Umesh Shah

I tried this as well and it does not work on the desktop version of Outlook. According to support, this is works as designed. as usual, submited an enhancement request.

Mike Grant

I have found a way to get the link to work by adding an "Update Request" to the automation flow and including the link field :) it works.....