Update a cell based on a Workflow

sarshad · 05/24/19

I have an approval workflow set based on a cell value. Is there a way to update that cell value once the approval completed?

Cell dropdown example:

1. Under review

2. Sent to team

3. Ready for release

4. Released

When the cell changes to sent to team approval triggers and once approved cell changes to ready for release. If the approval is declined cell changes back to under review.

Andrée Starå · 05/24/19

Hi Sarshad,

Not sure I follow!

Do you want the drop-down values above to be the same for the approval process? If yes, yes that's possible. You'd change them when you set up the automation.

Hope that helps!

Have a fantastic weekend!

Best,

Andrée Starå

Workflow Consultant @ Get Done Consulting

sarshad · 05/25/19

Hi Andrée - I just submitted a feature request for this as well. Right now I can only change a cell value automatically using formulas. The ask is to be able to change it using a trigger in workflow. For example, when a row change occurs and a certain cell's value becomes X change another cell's value to Y. Hope that clarifies the request.

Andrée Starå · 05/26/19

Excellent!

That clarified it, and that would be a great enhancement.

Best,

Andrée

tiffeoda · 07/24/19

I'd also love for this to become a feature. If you don't mind me asking, how did you use formulas to have the status change based off of approval result? I'm trying to do the same thing right now.

Andrée Starå · 07/25/19

Hi,

Try something like this.

Change the values to match your columns and statuses.

=IF(Approvals@row = "Approved"; "Expense is Approved"; IF(Approvals@row = "Declined"; "Expense is declined"))

The same version but with the below changes for your and others convenience.

=IF(Approvals@row = "Approved", "Expense is Approved", IF(Approvals@row = "Declined", "Expense is declined"))

Depending on your country you’ll need to exchange the comma to a period and the semi-colon to a comma.

Did it work?

Have a fantastic day!

Best,

Andrée Starå

Workflow Consultant @ Get Done Consulting

Andrée Starå · 07/25/19

Also,

Please submit an Enhancement Request when you have a moment.

Andrée Starå · 07/25/19

Hi sarshad and tiffeoda,

Zapier is also a great option for this scenario if you don't want to use formulas.

Is that an option for you?

Hope that helps!

Have a fantastic day!

Best,

Andrée Starå

Workflow Consultant @ Get Done Consulting

Kenyon Bajus · 04/15/20

This functionality should already be baked in Smartsheet.

In my case, I need a cell to change when a new row is added. I want the cell to be set to the first selection in a dropdown by default.

Steve Mato · 10/08/20

On a similar query - I have set a request for update in a workflow and I want that action to then change a value in a sheet from "N" or blank to "Y". This value then triggers the next step in the workflow. For example:

Initial Condition met like some data is changed
Triggers a Request for Update to a person
The cell corresponding to "Update Sent" changes to "Y" to indicate that the person was notified (this could also be to set or unset a flag)
The next Condition triggers off of the "Update Sent" value

How do I do that?

Andrée Starå · 10/19/20

Hi @Steve Mato

As a possible workaround, you could use the Approval Request feature and set it up to send at the same time and change the value to what you need.

Would 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 help the Community by marking it as the accepted answer/helpful. It will make it easier for others to find a solution or help to answer!

A Rose · 02/22/22

This is built in todays days... there's even the Approval Workflow which is a perfect template for this and you can change it around accordingly.

Smartsheet Basics

Smartsheet Basics

Update a cell based on a Workflow

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