Need a column to have sequential numbering even when rows are moved around

R Davis

Hello!

I have a column that needs to have a list of numbers that stay consistent even when rows are moved around.

So if row 3 was drug up one the primary column values are x, z, y, but column 2 would still be 1, 2, 3.

Thanks in advance!

Andrée Starå

Hi @R Davis

I hope you're well and safe!

Try something like this.

• Add a so-called Helper column. You can name it Count. Add the following formula and make it a column formula.

=1 

• Add another column (or use one you already have). I've named mine RowID. Add the following formula in row 1 and then drag it down the column.

=COUNT(Count$1:Count@row)

Did 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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R Davis

Andree,

Thank you for this - very helpful! As a follow-up, we've decided to modify this sheet to have parents and children. Would there be a way to make it so that dragging Child 4 under Child 2 would keep the numbering sequential in column 2?

Andrée Starå

@R Davis

You're more than welcome!

Yes, there is, but I'll come back to the post later.

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Donovan

@Andrée Starå hi Andree, is there a "Column Formula" equivalent for this? Thanks

Happykamper56

Hi @Andrée Starå, I love this implementation but one issue that I've found is that if you move the first row then it no longer functions correctly. How could you do it so that the first row can also be moved? I'm interested in this because I am planning to constantly shift the rows in my sheet around to put high priority items at the top. Would love to automate it so that every time I shift rows around it shows me the sequential order even after shifting the first row.