Resending Update Requests?

I'd like to be able to resend a pending update request as a reminder to my user. It doesn't appear that I am able to do this. I can view the request. I can delete it. But it doesn't appear that I can "resend it". That said, the "Edit" menu option is greyed out for me when I look at a pending request.

Anyone have any thoughts? Is there a "preference" options that I have turned off?

Wayne Daigle

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Comments

Jennifer Dewhurst

Hi Wayne,

I think you are trying to edit your request from the actual envelope icon on the activity. However, if you right click on the row you want to update and click Send Update Request again, you will see an option at the bottom for "Delivery" that will give you options for cadence for sending the reminder. This is where you edit your preference for cadence. Hope this helps.

Update Request.jpg

Wayne Daigle

Excellent. Thanks Jennifer. It looks like I can resend from there and set up a "recurring" update request. One additional question. When I set up a "cadence" for sending the update request. Is it mearly setting up a recurring update request or simply a "reminder" if the user doesn't respond within a specified period of time. In other words if the user responds after the 2nd reminder, will the system send out a third request, and a fourth etc? Or does it cancel the cadence once they respond to the update request once.

WRD

Jennifer Dewhurst

Once the user responds to the update request, the little envelope on the row disappears and the recurring request is cancelled.

In regards to your question of whether the system sends another update request or just a reminder: I'm not sure. I've never actually received one! LOL Most people respond to the request in a timely manner.

Wayne Daigle

Thanks. I'll check it out. My users are of the "ignore it and it will go away" variety.

WRD

Brad Jones

My recollection is that the recurring will keep sending on the frequency that you set it. Unless the system behavior has changed, then answering the request will not close the request - it will only close the current one.

Wayne,
This is also a big problem of mine. I only wish that I had people in my company who were quick to reply to their URs. I have dozens that are from last year still. Even when I remind them every week.

Wayne Daigle

I would think that you are right Brad. And I think it is a significant limitation of the system.

J. Craig Williams

How will resending the notification fix the problem of people ignoring the notification?

Craig

Jennifer Dewhurst

Hmmm. I will perform an experiment and report back with my results.

Michele Deo

Additionally, when I go to select a row to resend the update request, I would like the ability to be presented with the original update request. For example, I sent an update request to a user, with 4 rows to update. They may have only gone and updated one of the 4 rows, so I'd like the ability to modify the original update request instead of having to create a new one or resending just an individual row. Is that possible?

Melinda Moolman

Is there a way to stop the UPDATE REQUEST to be resend once certain conditions have been met?

Brad Jones

Currently, no. Update Requests (UR) and Update Confirmations (UC) really need some rework to be practical.

You have two choices currently:

1. Send an UR and hope that they complete it correctly and in a timely manner (which they rarely do). If they don't complete it, and lose the email, then you have to manually re-create the UR because they can't complete it without the email.

2. Send a recurring UR and then track all of your UR manually and all of the UC manually. Once they complete the UR, then you have to manually remove the recurring UR.

So... this is a feature that we really need.

Neisha Fredericks

See that there is no progress on this. I agree with Brad's perspective and hope a feature enhancement is on the way.

Wayne Daigle

Unfortunate that there's been no progress on this. I'm a consultant that uses smartsheet with my clients who generally do not have experience with the system. It takes some time for them to get used to which notifications require a response and which are "information only". Having the ability to resend the original update request would significantly decrease the learning curve and the confusion that new users have with the system. At least that's my opinion.

barrilleauxap

I hope i am not repeating the same question but i will ask anyway After i send a request for update, if the user does not respond in a reasonable amount of time, i would like to "resend" the same request again. If i understand correctly, that is not available therefore i need to just send an additional request for the same information. Is that accurate?

Andrée Starå

Hi all,

Good news! It's coming!

Customers have requested the ability to set up workflows that repeat on a regular schedule.

We're preparing recurrence for time-based workflows so you can save even more time on repetitive steps, such as daily due date reminders and weekly status update requests. This automation enhancement will be available this spring.

https://community.smartsheet.com/discussion/coming-2019-recurring-workf…

Hope that helps!

Have a fantastic weekend!

Best,

Andrée Starå

Workflow Consultant @ Get Done Consulting