"Locking" an Index/Match formula

RAC17

Hi,

I am using an index/match column formula to look up an approver from another sheet. This is working fine, but I am going to need to change an approver and want to keep the previous approver listed for the past records.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to do this?

I would rather not create a new column or copy old rows to a new sheet. I thought of adding a condition based on the date but then I think I would need multiple approver/date columns which could get out of hand.

Thanks in advance!

RAC17

Thanks Andree!

I actually went a different route and added 2 extra columns to my reviewer lookup sheet (an end date & the old reviewer) and INDEX/MATCH based on the end date & the received date.

=IF([Received Date]@row > INDEX({Reviewers | End Date}, MATCH(Area@row, {Reviewers | Area}, 0)), INDEX({Reviewers | #1}, MATCH(Area@row, {Reviewers | Area}, 0)), INDEX({Reviewers | Ended}, MATCH(Area@row, {Reviewers | Category}, 0)))

I know this may not work in the long run (especially if I have multiple changes), but it works for now!

Andrée Starå

Hi @RAC17

I hope you're well and safe!

Please have a look at my post below with a method I developed.

More info: 

Lock or Store Date/Value Solution without using Zapier

Andrée Starå

May 24, 2020

Hi all,

I hope you're well and safe!

I've developed a solution that lets you store the date or value.

You'd use the copy-row automation and a VLOOKUP or combination of INDEX/MATCH to make it work.

We'd trigger the copy-row to another sheet and get the created date/other value and then use the VLOOKUP/INDEX/MATCH to get it back to the main sheet in another so-called helper column. As long as you have a unique id/value that we can use, it will work.

Also, this opens up more options with auto-numbering and similar.

Depending on other workflows, you could reuse one sheet for multiple workflows.

I hope that helps!

Let me know if you have any questions!

Stay safe and have a fantastic day!

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.

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Another option would be to add a so-called helper column and use a Workflow combined with the Change a cell Action to register who it was.

Would any of those options 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!

RAC17

Thanks Andree!

I actually went a different route and added 2 extra columns to my reviewer lookup sheet (an end date & the old reviewer) and INDEX/MATCH based on the end date & the received date.

=IF([Received Date]@row > INDEX({Reviewers | End Date}, MATCH(Area@row, {Reviewers | Area}, 0)), INDEX({Reviewers | #1}, MATCH(Area@row, {Reviewers | Area}, 0)), INDEX({Reviewers | Ended}, MATCH(Area@row, {Reviewers | Category}, 0)))

I know this may not work in the long run (especially if I have multiple changes), but it works for now!