Referring to a single cell in an Automation message

David Dolch

Is there any way to refer to a single static cell in an Automation's message. I know that I can use {{COLUMN NAME}} to refer to the specific row value in a given column, but I am looking for something where I can refer to {{COLUMN NAME}}ROW NUMBER

I am the owner / admin of a Control Center deployment that creates project packages for my project managers. The Project Plan pulls in the Project Title and Project Manager name from a Metadata sheet.

I would like the Automation I have built in have messages that say "PROJECT MANAGER" is requesting an update in relation to "PROJECT NAME". Right now my name is all over these updates since I am the owner / admin and it confuses some of the cross functional teams.

I know I could put hidden helper columns with the Project Name and Project Manager listed in the entire column. While I think that sometimes helper columns are very inelegant solution to what should be simple functionality, I would use them in this case if I could populate them with a column formula. However I cannot use a specific cell reference with a column formula.

The issue with using a "regular" formula instead of a column formula is that my users insert and delete rows as necessary, so now I have a chance of the system sending out automated requests with blanks in the messaging. Not a very professional solution.

Anybody have any ideas?

Thanks

Paul Newcome

If you have access to the Sheet Summary fields, you can reference one of those and set it as a column formula.

Paul Newcome

If you have access to the Sheet Summary fields, you can reference one of those and set it as a column formula.

David Dolch

@Paul Newcome Thank you. That works. I never realized that you can make a Sheet Summary a Column Formula.

It is still a clunky solution. Use a cell to pull the data from my Metadata sheet, then use Sheet Summary to pull that value into the a Summary Cell, and then use a column formula to pull that single value into an entire column, so that I can then populate that single value into a Automation Email. But IT WORKS. I will take it. Thanks for sharing how you figured out to do this.

Sometimes getting something done in SS requires a little creativity. I just document how I did everything because I know I will not be in this role forever, and the next person that comes along is going to have no idea what is going on.

Thanks again !

Paul Newcome

I didn't know either until I tested it right before posting my response. Haha.

Happy to help. 👍️

SPB

Hello!

What if we don't have access to the Sheet Summary field?

I'm using the PMO Template Set, and the grid Sheet Summary tab is locked, even for owners.

Thank you!

Andrée Starå

Hi @SPB

I hope you're well and safe!

Strange!

Can you share some screenshots? (Delete/replace any confidential/sensitive information before sharing) That would make it easier to help.

I hope that helps!

Be safe, and have a fantastic week!

Best,

Andrée Starå | Workflow Consultant / CEO @ WORK BOLD

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SPB

Thanks, @Andrée Starå .

Of course, it helps to subscribe to the right plan 🙄

I have full enterprise access at work, and forgot my own home biz doesn't have same access!

Andrée Starå

@SPB

Happy to help!

Haha! Easy to miss!

✅Remember! Did my post(s) help or answer your question or solve your problem? Please support the Community by marking it Insightful/Vote Up/Awesome or/and as the accepted answer. It will make it easier for others to find a solution or help to answer!