Evaluation of date-related formulas used in workflow conditions

Vojtech Gajdos

Hello,

We have to implement a date/time triggered workflow that will run every day. In it, there is a condition which uses a value of the checkbox-type cell with the formula that turns the checkbox ON, when a certain number of days have passed (since some event).

The question is - will that formula be evaluated and so be correctly setting up the checkbox value before the workflow condition is evaluated? Or - is opening of the sheet by a user required to evaluate the formula (before the timed run of the workflow)?

Thanks

Vojtech

Andrée Starå

Hi @Vojtech Gajdos

I hope you're well and safe!

Please have a look at my post below with a method I developed to update the sheet(s) daily.

More info: 

Daily Update Solution without the need to open the sheet, use Zapier, or similar

Andrée Starå

Jan 6, 2021

Hi everyone,

Happy New Year!

I hope you're well and safe!

I've developed a way to use the newly released Record a date feature to update sheets with today's date automatically without the need to open it or similar.

1. Add a so-called helper column. (Date). We can call it Today Helper and add a date before the current day.

2. You'd then use an Automation Workflow as described below.

Trigger: When a date is reached

Every day starting on 2021-01-06 (today or earlier)

02:00 (select the time that makes the most sense for the process)

Conditions

Where Today Helper is in the past

Record a date

Record a date in Today Helper

https://us.v-cdn.net/6031209/uploads/1R2CO9WEE5M5/screenshot-of-ghost-browser-282021-01-06-2c-14-22-21-29.jpg

This could also be structured so you'd use a so-called helper sheet for the process above and then link it to all other sheets where you'd need the daily update.

Let me know if you have any questions!

I hope that helps!

Stay safe, and Happy New Year!

Best,

Andrée Starå | Workflow Consultant / CEO @ WORK BOLD

✅Did my post(s) help or answer your question or solve your problem? Please help the Community by marking it as helpful. It will make it easier for others to find a solution.

---

View Post

Did 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, Awesome, or/and as the accepted answer. It will make it easier for others to find a solution or help to answer!

Andrée Starå

Hi @Vojtech Gajdos

I hope you're well and safe!

Please have a look at my post below with a method I developed to update the sheet(s) daily.

More info: 

Daily Update Solution without the need to open the sheet, use Zapier, or similar

Andrée Starå

Jan 6, 2021

Hi everyone,

Happy New Year!

I hope you're well and safe!

I've developed a way to use the newly released Record a date feature to update sheets with today's date automatically without the need to open it or similar.

1. Add a so-called helper column. (Date). We can call it Today Helper and add a date before the current day.

2. You'd then use an Automation Workflow as described below.

Trigger: When a date is reached

Every day starting on 2021-01-06 (today or earlier)

02:00 (select the time that makes the most sense for the process)

Conditions

Where Today Helper is in the past

Record a date

Record a date in Today Helper

https://us.v-cdn.net/6031209/uploads/1R2CO9WEE5M5/screenshot-of-ghost-browser-282021-01-06-2c-14-22-21-29.jpg

This could also be structured so you'd use a so-called helper sheet for the process above and then link it to all other sheets where you'd need the daily update.

Let me know if you have any questions!

I hope that helps!

Stay safe, and Happy New Year!

Best,

Andrée Starå | Workflow Consultant / CEO @ WORK BOLD

✅Did my post(s) help or answer your question or solve your problem? Please help the Community by marking it as helpful. It will make it easier for others to find a solution.

---

View Post

Did 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, Awesome, or/and as the accepted answer. It will make it easier for others to find a solution or help to answer!

Vojtech Gajdos

Hi Andree, thanks heaps for your answer - I was doing a bit of testing and it looks OK and doing the job (updating cells in the background without necessity to open and save the sheet). I am still trying out the idea with doing the trick in the external helper sheet and referencing it in the sheet that needs a background update - which I like more (any such updates just can insert the external reference and job's done). I trust it will work as well since you advised it will...still need to make sure that is the case.

Regards

Vojtech

Andrée Starå

@Vojtech Gajdos

Excellent!

Happy to help!