Using today() in formulas

Adam Qualls

I have a smartsheet that has some values calculated using a formula containing today(). Everything works fine on my dashboard when I use this, but I have found the dashboard becomes stall unless I open the smartsheet up to let the today() function update with the current date. Is there a way to use this so that it will stay up to date without opening the smartsheet? Is there something I could run daily that would update this without having to go into the smartsheet. I created the smartsheet and form for others to use, but with the intent of them not having to ever open the smartsheet. I don't want to constantly have to open the smartsheet to let the formulas update to the current date every day.

Thanks!

Andrée Starå

Hi @Adam Qualls

The TODAY function needs to be updated by activating the sheet(s) each day.

At the moment, there isn't a native feature that automates this. There are a couple of workarounds.

• 3rd party service, Zapier or similar
• Automatic update request to update a value in the sheet daily
• Copy row automation (untested, but it might work)
• + more. . .

More details.

Smartsheet will update all instances of the TODAY function in a sheet to the current date when any of the following actions are taken:

• You open the sheet and save it
• You add a new row to the sheet from a form submission
• You make changes to the sheet from an update or approval request (more on these alerts here)
• You update the sheet by way of a report (more on reports here)
• A linked cell updates the sheet (more on cell linking here)
• You open the sheet being referenced in a cross-sheet formula (more on cross sheet formulas here)

The following will not update formulas that are using the TODAY function to the current date:

• A report looking at the function in the sheet is opened.
• A dashboard showing information from the sheet is opened.

https://help.smartsheet.com/function/today

Would any of those options work/help?

I hope that helps!

Be safe and have a fantastic week!

Best,

Andrée Starå | Workflow Consultant / CEO @ WORK BOLD

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Adam Qualls

@Andrée Starå  

If I scheduled a daily upload in the data uploader, but had it basically insert zero rows, would that trigger the today() function to update in the smartsheet?

Andrée Starå

@Adam Qualls

No, I'm pretty sure that there has to be something that changed for it to update.

Interesting. I haven't tried it with Data Uploader.

Hopefully, soon we won't need workarounds.

Adam Qualls

@Andrée Starå

Data uploader doesn't seem to work if it doesn't actually insert anything into the sheet. It worked the first time, but after that the data was already in the sheet so it didn't update anything and didn't update the today function. I'm finding a hard time understanding why they would make the today function work like that. It needs to always use the current date. I don't want to have to open the smartsheet everyday to update it. Seems like poor design.

Andrée Starå

@Adam Qualls

I hope you're well and safe!

I'd recommend letting Smartsheet know that you'd like the Today function to work even if you don't open the sheet.

Please submit an Enhancement Request when you have a moment

Excuse the late response.

Crazy times and I missed coming back to you.

Happy New Year & Stay safe!