Can I trigger an automation based on the completion of an update request?

MJ0013

I currently have a workflow in place which allows for both approval requests and update requests, but at two stages of the process, the approval request and update request fire off at the same time. The correct order would be for the approval request to process when the update request is complete. I have thought of adding a helper column (an Update Status column). I can automate the change in status to "in progress' in this helper column to indicate the update request is in progress, and now I need to find a way to change the status to "complete" when the update request has been completed, so that I can use a condition in the original workflow to then have the approval request kick off.

a) Is it possible to use the completion of the update request to trigger a cell value change?

OR

b) This there a better way to have the approval request fire only when the update request is complete (preferably without breaking the original workflow)?

Paul Newcome

Do you have one or more cells that will definitely be updated during the update request? You could set up a Change Cell Value automation to trigger whenever [Column Name] changes to Any Value then have you Approval triggered on when this new automation updates the cell value.

Paul Newcome

Do you have one or more cells that will definitely be updated during the update request? You could set up a Change Cell Value automation to trigger whenever [Column Name] changes to Any Value then have you Approval triggered on when this new automation updates the cell value.

MJ0013

Thanks, this worked! I just specified all the different cells which may change, as it's impossible to know which one will be updated.

Paul Newcome

Happy to help. 👍️

Samscho

I have the same issue. I want to trigger an approval only after the request for update has been completed. But in my case the 'request for update' does not always have any cells that are guaranteed to be updated, so I can't trigger the approval workflow automatically. Shouldn't there be a way to trigger actions automatically with the completion of an update request?

Paul Newcome

@Samscho You will need to have something change. Even if you have the user check a box to acknowledge that there are no changes to the data.

Samscho

Right, that makes sense and that's what I'm doing as a workaround it's just a bit inelegant since in our workflow the request for updates doesn't always require actual updates. And the 'submit' button ought to be a trigger I would think. But I'm using a checkbox for now as a workaround thank you.