workflow automation - copy row without including attachments

H.Arsenault

Does anyone know if there is a way I can adjust my automated workflow so attachment are not included when copied to the next sheet? Currently my workflow is set so when a status is changed it copies to 2 other sheets for the next applicable departments, however they do not need (and in some cases maybe shouldn't have) the existing attachments of the row I am copying. Does anyone know if/ how I can adjust this?

Andrée Starå

Hi @H.Arsenault

I hope you're well and safe!

Unfortunately, it's not possible now to not include the attachments, but it's an excellent idea!

Please submit an Enhancement Request when you have a moment.

Here's a possible workaround or workarounds

- You could use cross-sheet formulas combined with either a VLOOKUP or INDEX/MATCH structure to connect the sheets, and when you update the source sheet, it will reflect on the destination sheet.

Another option would be to use so-called helper sheets. In short, copy the row to a helper sheet and then use my method described previously to get the values you need to another helper sheet and then copy/move the row from that sheet to the main destination sheet.

Would that 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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Andrée Starå

Hi @H.Arsenault

I hope you're well and safe!

Unfortunately, it's not possible now to not include the attachments, but it's an excellent idea!

Please submit an Enhancement Request when you have a moment.

Here's a possible workaround or workarounds

- You could use cross-sheet formulas combined with either a VLOOKUP or INDEX/MATCH structure to connect the sheets, and when you update the source sheet, it will reflect on the destination sheet.

Another option would be to use so-called helper sheets. In short, copy the row to a helper sheet and then use my method described previously to get the values you need to another helper sheet and then copy/move the row from that sheet to the main destination sheet.

Would that work/help?

I hope that helps!

Be safe and have a fantastic week!

Best,

Andrée Starå | Workflow Consultant / CEO @ WORK BOLD

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

H.Arsenault

@Andrée Starå - I appreciate that I can always count on you for help & support! I have in fact submitted the Enhancement Request, thank you for the suggestion. For now, I may just have to go with the manual work around of using the copy row option from the row menu, as that allows me to select whether I want to include the attachments or not. Hopefully the enhancement goes through and it can save me the additional steps but for now the extra work is worth the outcome. Thank you for your always valued input. Hope you are staying safe & well also.

NateP

I'm in the same boat but just need to be able to select certain columns to copy to another sheet. Copying the whole row is a security liability and I have some big source sheets with lots of columns. I just need to be able to select the cells that I want sent to another sheet. Basically the same functionality of how you can custom pick which columns to include in a notification. I've sent in at least three requests now for this functionality. It's preventing me from really automating at least three major processes in my company. The more people we have submit this request, hopefully they listen.

H.Arsenault

@NateP - That's a very good point! I actually only need a few cells from the rows to copy into the secondary sheets, I have just accepted the copying of additional information as for me it doesn't have a big effect. That being said, I could see that feature being helpful, and possibly even a requirement for us as well in the future. I would be happy to stand behind that Enhancement Request and do whatever I can to support it being pushed through. Looks like I'll be submitting another one today!! Lol

Andrée Starå

@H.Arsenault

Excellent!

Happy to help!

Andrée Starå

@NateP

You probably know this, but a workaround until it's released could be using cross-sheet formulas only to collect the cells needed.

Make sense?

Would that work/help?

lurapadrutt

Hi @Andrée Starå, Since this request if from 2021, I wanted to see if there was any update/enhancement in this area.

Do you have any updates or know why is it possible to have a way to exclude comments and attachments from the manual 'row copy' method (not to mention 'create new sheet') but not when doing the same function with automation? It's really hamstringing us and our ability to share reports with our clients - due to (legitimate) concern that an internal comment could slip by unnoticed and end up in front of a client.

Thanks for any updates/info you can provide!