Auto Check for Checkbox

Dru

Need to ensure that a checkbox is auto checked once a task name is inserted into a new row, but can be unchecked if other boxes are checked.

I have reports that use certain check boxes to be checked and if somebody forgets to check the initial "not started" column checkbox, it will not show up in an employees report. I want the "not started" check box to be automatically checked if there is a task name entered in the same row. Then, if "in progress" is checked, ideally it auto unchecks, the "not started" does not recheck itself.  I guess that feature would be nice for "complete" too, by checking it, it will uncheck "in progress." I want checkboxes and not drop down too.

Shaine Greenwood

Hi Dru,

 

You'll want to create this functionality by placing a nested IF statement in your "Not Started" Column.. An example of this is below:

 

=IF([In Progress]1 = 1, 0, IF(ISTEXT([Task Name]1),1))

 

You'll want to change the cell references to match the column names of your sheet. More on our functions can be found in the Help Center: https://help.smartsheet.com/articles/775363-using-formulas

Dru

Thank you for the reply. How do I set it up as a primary key so the forumula is used every time a row is used? The formula for the checkbox does not seem to copy its parent or preceding row.

Shaine Greenwood

Our auto-fill formulas functionality requires the same exact formula to be in at least two rows on the same hierarchical level. You may need to copy and paste the formula in the sheet a few times before the auto-fill functionality kicks in.

 

Details on auto-fill here: https://help.smartsheet.com/articles/1641473-auto-filling-formulas-and-formatting

 

Details on copying and pasting here: https://help.smartsheet.com/articles/518318-using-copy-paste

Dru

Shaine,

 

Thank you for your help to date, but I ran into an issue I am unable to resolve.

 

I have three check boxes, "not started" "in progress" "complete"

 

I am using this formula in the "not started" column and it is working fine,

=IF(OR([In Progress]5 = 1, Complete5 = 1), 0, IF(ISTEXT([Task Name]5), 1))

 

Then I was trying to use the following formula in the "in progress" column and I get a circular reference.

=IF(Complete5 = 1, 0, IF([Not Started]5 = 0, 1))

 

Options??

Shaine Greenwood

#CIRCULAR REFERENCE means that the formula references itself in some way. It likely that you're getting the error because you've got a formula in "not started" that's referencing "in progress" and a formula in "in progress" that's referencing "not started."

 

You'll need to consider using different criteria so your formulas don't end up referencing themselves. Details on errors, if needed, are available here: https://help.smartsheet.com/articles/2476176-formula-error-messages

 

Your "in progress" formula probably won't be able to reference "complete" either if you have a formula in complete that references "in progress."

Dru

Ya, that is what I figured. Was just making sure I did not mess the formula up. Thank you.