Nesting Child Rows Automatically from a Form Submission

Griffin Coe

I'm trying to see if Smartsheet is able to work as a tool to help me automate RFQ document creation as well as order request tracking. I was wondering if it is possible to automatically nest items below a parent row instead of adding columns to the right when taking data from a Form Submission.

Breakdown of the problem: Each item needs an Item Name, Description, MFG, MFG Part Number, and QTY. So each additional item needed on the RFQ requires 5 additional columns of data on my sheet. Let's say I need to quote 25 items, which means my sheet needs to be 125 columns wide to fit that, which is clearly not effective.

I'm wondering if there is a way to have a Form Submission nest items under a REQUEST Number/RFQ Title that can be minimized. And, if there is, would this formatting be usable to auto-generate a form that's being used as a template.

Ideal outcome example: Row 1 "RFQ 02/15/2021" consists of 6 items that can be minimized like parent and child relationships for a project planner. Row 8 "RFQ 02/17/2021" consists of 15 items all nested below that RFQ Header. Row 24 "RFQ 02/17/2021" consists of 4 items. (See below for visual reference on how I would like my Form submissions to be logged)

Any advice is welcomed, and thank you in advance.

Andrée Starå

Hi @Griffin Coe

I hope you're well and safe!

I developed a solution using two forms (or the same form by using conditional logic) that can be used to submit the main information and then the other information on a new row for each submission after the first.

Would that work/help?

I hope that helps!

Be safe and have a fantastic weekend!

Best,

Andrée Starå | Workflow Consultant / CEO @ WORK BOLD

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Griffin Coe

Hi @Andrée Starå

Thanks for your reply. I'd be interested to see what kind of conditional logic you're referring to. The logic I am using currently has each additional item be added as additional columns, so if there is a way for the logic to make new items be on new lines that would be perfect!

Could you advise on what your solution looked like, or link me to a relevant support/tech page as a resource?

I appreciate your reply, hope you're safe and well also.

Andrée Starå

@Griffin Coe

You're more than welcome!

I'd be happy to share an example. 

Please send me an email at andree@workbold.com, and I'll share it with you.

✅Remember! Did my post(s) help or answer your question or solve your problem? Please support 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!

Stacie Karkhoff

Hi @Andrée Starå - How does your solution above work in terms of hierarchy? Or is that still a manual process on the sheet?

I'm trying to work through a similar process as mentioned above, and can't think of a great solution to group rows without a manual process involved.

AllisonMorris

@Andrée Starå Would it be possible to see your two-form solution for this issue? Please let me know if you are still available to email for examples.

Thanks!

ssagers

I'm interested in this solution, too.

ssagers

This is awesome Andree. Thank you so much for all the help you give in this forum.

NeilKY

@Andrée Starå 

Would you be willing to share your solution with the entire class? :) (Post it here)