Activity Log

Mark Bond

Is there a way to generate a report from the activity log? What I want to do is to be able to quantify actions being taken within a time frame (i.e.: one month of time). For example, I would like to be able to track how many lines were added to our master sheet - and how many were removed. I would also like to be able to track when status cells change from one condition to another. For example, when our projects move from the DESIGN phase into the CONSTRUTION phase - I would like to be able to quantify those level of changes.

Is this something that can be done within Smartsheets? If not using the activity log - is there another way to track and quantify changes - both from the level of the row as well as the individual cell?

Thank you.

Mike Wilday

I wish. Please submit a product enhancement request. This would be so helpful.

Mike Wilday

You could however use the new date automation.

https://help.smartsheet.com/articles/2481986-set-the-current-date-with-record-a-date-action

Create several hidden helper columns to add dates for when each status changes. And then you could run reports off that data!

Would that help?

Mark Bond

That will help for cells in existing rows. Tracking rows that are added or removed, however, is a different story.

Mike Wilday

Hmmm. For new rows, you can use the system generated created date.

For deleted rows... Let me think about this.

Mike Wilday

I can't think of a solution for deleted rows... but you can cover all the other bases with the record a date automation... When rows are added or changes... and then you can dictate where the record a date happens by using conditional paths.

Andrée Starå

Hi @Mark Bond

I hope you're well and safe!

To add to Mike's excellent advice/answer.

This might help. You could possibly use my method described below to keep a check on deleted rows as well.

Please have a look at my post below with a method I developed.

More info: 

https://community.smartsheet.com/discussion/68589/lock-or-store-date-value-solution-without-using-zapier

There is also a premium add-on, Event Reporting, that can provide you with much more information. 

More info: 

https://help.smartsheet.com/articles/2479296-event-reporting-monitor-how-data-is-used-across-your-organization

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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