Copy parent row only

I have automation set up to copy rows marked as "key deliverables" in my project schedule into a separate, key deliverables status tracking log. Unfortunately, when a key deliverables row in the schedule is a parent row -- i.e., has subtasks under it -- the automation (rightfully) copies the parent row AND its child subtasks into the destination status tracking log sheet.

Is there a way to ONLY copy over the parent row, without its subtasks?

Thanks.

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SoS | Dan Palenchar

Make a new column with formula =COUNT(CHILDREN()), let's call it "C". All parent rows will have a number in this column above 0, while non-parent (child) rows will display 0.

So, if you add a filter in your automation to only copy rows where the value in this formula is *not* 0 it will only copy the parent row.

John DeRoy

Hi Dan -

Good idea, but doing what you suggest will omit all of the child rows within the overall project schedule that represent key deliverables and ONLY focus on the parent rows. It needs to pick up both.

John DeRoy

Furthermore, Dan, I just tested your approach, and it doesn't work (irrespective of the shortcoming I just described). It's behaving as if the child rows are attached to the parent row and immune to the logic you suggest.

Andrée Starå

Hi @John DeRoy

Unfortunately, as far as I know, it's not possible to only copy a parent row to another sheet.

A possible workaround could be to use cross-sheet formulas instead. (VLOOKUP or INDEX/MATCH)

Would that work/help?

I hope that helps!

Be safe and have a fantastic weekend!

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!

John DeRoy

Thanks, Andree - a good idea, but won't help, unfortunately. Looks like I need to ensure that any such key deliverable rows are child rows only.

Kelly Moore

If you have access to Data Mesh then it might be a potential solution. DataMesh can use reports as an input in place of a sheet. With a helper column (or two) on your main sheet you could probably produce a report with only the info you need. The caveat is having access to Data Mesh.

cheers

Kelly

Rene Lara

Hi @John DeRoy ,

I stumbled onto this thread and I had a similar task I wanted to perform. Would creating a column to check if the row is a parent and having a "copy row" automation with the condition that only rows with that column checked are copied work for you? You will have to set the automation to run on specific dates, but if I read the issue correctly, this may work.

bstevens

Hi @John DeRoy - did you ever find solution to the copy of parent row only? I tried the suggestions above but they do not work to copy only the parent row.

Would appreciate if anyone has other ideas on how to do this.

Kind Regards, Bob

John DeRoy

Hi Bob -

My need for a solution disappeared b/c that project was backburnered. Rene's suggestion looks like it's worth a short, however.

John

ayushaggarwal

I tried Rene's suggestion but to no avail. Any other suggestions for this? I am looking to build a Completed projects list as they are done

Rene Lara

@John DeRoy , @ayushaggarwal - this worked for me, in my previous comment, I failed to note that the automation trigger is set to "When Date is reached" "Every day - - " Like this:

Adding this trigger, with the condition mentioned above will have any parent row transferred to the new shit at 10PM every night.

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