Copy Rows Automation: only copy select columns?

SPO MPD

Hi Smartsheet Community,

Is there a way to set up the Copy Rows workflow in such a way that it will only copy select columns to a second sheet? Certain staff will be inputting information into 14 columns on a spreadsheet, but I only want 12 of the 14 columns to copy to a second sheet, as two of the columns may contain sensitive information.

Thanks,

Alec

Paul Newcome

There is not a way to select which columns copy over. It is all or nothing.

But............

You could set up a Clear Cell Data automation to run in those two columns of the receiving sheet any time a new row is added. So those columns will exist, but the data will be deleted as soon as it hits the sheet.

Andrée Starå

Hi @SPO MPD & @Christina Lam

I hope you're well and safe!

To add to Paul's excellent advice/answer.

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 primary 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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Paul Newcome

There is not a way to select which columns copy over. It is all or nothing.

But............

You could set up a Clear Cell Data automation to run in those two columns of the receiving sheet any time a new row is added. So those columns will exist, but the data will be deleted as soon as it hits the sheet.

Christina09

I've been wanting the same thing since day one. Tons of people submitted product enhancement request to Smartsheet a long time ago, so far nothing from Smarthseet yet.

Andrée Starå

Hi @SPO MPD & @Christina Lam

I hope you're well and safe!

To add to Paul's excellent advice/answer.

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 primary 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!

Frank Falco

I agree with @Christina Lam . This has been requested for a long time and is a very necessary function to make the copy row function really useful.

+1 vote (again) for this feature

fjtoh

I am also frustrated with Smartsheet company, many features that users are requesting to improve but the answer is always coming. NATO - No action, talk only.