Use Formula to Check Checkbox as a Column Formula

Bessie Koch

I found this formula in the community that works perfectly to check the box if there is any text in certain cells.

=IF(OR(ISTEXT([Column1]@row), ISTEXT([Column2]@row), ISTEXT([Column3]@row), ISTEXT([Column4]@row)), 1, 0)

I'm getting a column formula syntax error when I try to apply it to the whole column:

"The column formula syntax isn't quite right, see our help article Set Formulas for All Rows with Column Formulas | Smartsheet Learning Center for more information."

Use Case: A form is being used to populate the sheet. If there are contents in certain columns/fields on the sheet, the box gets checked. That check box will trigger automation.

Thanks for your help!

Paul Newcome

Glad you got it figured out. 👍️

Column formulas cannot have numbered cell references. You have to use "@row". You used "@row" in your original post, so I didn't think that was the issue. You fixed it yourself and didn't even realize it. Haha

Paul Newcome

Are you able to provide a screenshot of the formula actually in the sheet similar to the one below? The formula you typed out doesn't have any syntax errors and should not be causing any issues.

Bessie Koch

Sure. It

Capture.PNG

works to mark the checkbox perfectly, but the column wont format to a column format.

Bessie Koch

Solved it! Needed the @row instead of "1" at the end of each.

Bessie Koch

Sure. It works to mark the checkbox perfectly, but the column wont format to a column format.

=IF(OR(ISTEXT([Grow Request - Item #1]1), ISTEXT([Grow Request - Item #2]1), ISTEXT([Grow Request - Item #3]1), ISTEXT([Grow Request - Item #4]1), ISTEXT([Grow Request - Item #5]1), ISTEXT([Packaging Request - Item #1]1), ISTEXT([Packaging Request - Item #2]1), ISTEXT([Packaging Request - Item #3]1), ISTEXT([Packaging Request - Item #4]1), ISTEXT([Packaging Request - Item #5]1), ISTEXT([Sales/PC/Marketing/IT Request - Item #1]1), ISTEXT([Sales/PC/Marketing/IT Request - Item #2]1), ISTEXT([Sales/PC/Marketing/IT Request - Item #3]1), ISTEXT([Sales/PC/Marketing/IT Request - Item #4]1), ISTEXT([Sales/PC/Marketing/IT Request - Item #5]1), ISTEXT([Lab/Kitchen/Solventless Request - Item #1]1), ISTEXT([Lab/Kitchen/Solventless Request - Item #2]1), ISTEXT([Lab/Kitchen/Solventless Request - Item #3]1), ISTEXT([Lab/Kitchen/Solventless Request - Item #4]1), ISTEXT([Lab/Kitchen/Solventless Request - Item #5]1), ISTEXT([Facilities/Offices Request - Item #1]1), ISTEXT([Facilities/Offices Request - Item #2]1), ISTEXT([Facilities/Offices Request - Item #3]1), ISTEXT([Facilities/Offices Request - Item #4]1), ISTEXT([Facilities/Offices Request - Item #5]1)), 1, 0)

Bessie Koch

Sure. As I said, it works to mark the checkbox perfectly, but the column wont format to a column format.

=IF(OR(ISTEXT([Grow Request - Item #1]1), ISTEXT([Grow Request - Item #2]1), ISTEXT([Grow Request - Item #3]1), ISTEXT([Grow Request - Item #4]1), ISTEXT([Grow Request - Item #5]1), ISTEXT([Packaging Request - Item #1]1), ISTEXT([Packaging Request - Item #2]1), ISTEXT([Packaging Request - Item #3]1), ISTEXT([Packaging Request - Item #4]1), ISTEXT([Packaging Request - Item #5]1), ISTEXT([Sales/PC/Marketing/IT Request - Item #1]1), ISTEXT([Sales/PC/Marketing/IT Request - Item #2]1), ISTEXT([Sales/PC/Marketing/IT Request - Item #3]1), ISTEXT([Sales/PC/Marketing/IT Request - Item #4]1), ISTEXT([Sales/PC/Marketing/IT Request - Item #5]1), ISTEXT([Lab/Kitchen/Solventless Request - Item #1]1), ISTEXT([Lab/Kitchen/Solventless Request - Item #2]1), ISTEXT([Lab/Kitchen/Solventless Request - Item #3]1), ISTEXT([Lab/Kitchen/Solventless Request - Item #4]1), ISTEXT([Lab/Kitchen/Solventless Request - Item #5]1), ISTEXT([Facilities/Offices Request - Item #1]1), ISTEXT([Facilities/Offices Request - Item #2]1), ISTEXT([Facilities/Offices Request - Item #3]1), ISTEXT([Facilities/Offices Request - Item #4]1), ISTEXT([Facilities/Offices Request - Item #5]1)), 1, 0)

Paul Newcome

Glad you got it figured out. 👍️

Column formulas cannot have numbered cell references. You have to use "@row". You used "@row" in your original post, so I didn't think that was the issue. You fixed it yourself and didn't even realize it. Haha

Bessie Koch

Ha! Thank you for the quick responses and easily assessable help platform -- Have a great weekend!