Data Mesh. How to pull multiple data points based on multiple selections into one cell

TestUser123

Hi Everyone,

I'm looking into setting up a small process that would allow my team to essentially select multiple choices from a drop down in-order to combine the various results that those selections represent in a separate sheet. The key is that we want to combine those options in a single cell.

Does anyone know if this is possible with data mesh and how to do it? My team was able to make this process work but ONLY if we have a SINGLE selection

To better visualize what we are trying to do please refer to the attached examples.

NOTE: In this example ProjectA Sheet is used only as a sheet that stores references.

USE CASE:

In ProjectB Sheet, the user selects what numbers they want from Test Column (1,2,3) and in return they can quickly pull the needed data into the "Data from ProjectA "cell that each number represents for their choices.

Can this be done? or is this a limitation in smartsheets? as mentioned before we were able to make this process work but this process work but ONLY if we have a SINGLE selection.

Looking forward to hearing your recommendations

Genevieve P.

Hi @TestUser123

DataMesh and formulas won't be able to parse out the multiple selections and search for an individual match per-selection across sheets. As you've found, it will look for a match for the entire cell, which is why it works when you only have one selection.

1 - One option would be to have your reference sheet (Project A) list all possible combinations and outputs as part of your reference table, with the Test Column set as multi-select so you have exact matches.

2 - An alternative would be to build a formula that searched for each individual match and then brings the data in across sheets.

Using your examples, this is how I'd write one IF statement to check for the "1" selection:

=IF(HAS([Test Column]@row, 1), INDEX({ProjectA Column2}, MATCH(1, {ProjectA Test Column}, 0)))

Then any time "1" is selected, it will bring back 1's details using INDEX(MATCH. You would need to build out an individual IF statement per selection so that it checks through all of your multi-select options.

=IF(HAS([Test Column]@row, 1), INDEX({ProjectA Column2}, MATCH(1, {ProjectA Test Column}, 0)) + CHAR(10)) + IF(HAS([Test Column]@row, 2), INDEX({ProjectA Column2}, MATCH(2, {ProjectA Test Column}, 0)) + CHAR(10)) + IF(HAS([Test Column]@row, 3), INDEX({ProjectA Column2}, MATCH(3, {ProjectA Test Column}, 0)) + CHAR(10))

Let me know if that makes sense and will work for you!

Cheers,

Genevieve