What is the best method to ensure changes in date or duration of key tasks flow to other sheets?

I need to link (or reference) dependencies between several sheets so that if the dates or durations in the source sheet tasks change, the change automatically updates the other sheets. I tried some simple cell linking with durations and start dates, but that's not giving me what I need.

We have about 20 sheets (project plans) that contain some tasks that are dependent on tasks in other sheets.

Thanks for the help!

Answers

  • Genevieve P.
    Genevieve P. Employee
    edited 04/05/22

    Hi @JRun

    There currently isn't a way to link dependencies across sheets in Smartsheet; Project Settings and Predecessors are sheet-specific. Please provide your feedback to the Product team through this form, here!

    What I would suggest in this instance is have Baselines set up in your Project Sheets. If the Variance column changes (showing that a task date has shifted), use Conditional Formatting to highlight that row somehow.

    Then I would have a Report set up with all of the cross-dependent rows throughout your different sheets, sorted by Date. Conditional formatting will appear in a Report based on the rule in the source sheet, so rows will visibly highlight as they are changed, allowing you to quickly view all of the possibly affected tasks in the Report, then go to the underlying source sheet and adjust tasks as needed.

    Cheers,

    Genevieve

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