today() automatically change or not

Yashwant Singh · 07/13/20

Hi,

confused for using Today() formula in my sheet..

Currently using countif and sumif formula based on today() date. please confirm that formula automatically changed when date today() change or when I can manually activate my sheet first and then formula changed.

Genevieve P. · 07/13/20

Hi @Yashwant Singh

Your Metric Widgets will automatically update when the sheet updates; it may take a few minutes to push out to the Dashboard, but it will happen automatically.

If you open the Master Sheet, all of its own formulas that have TODAY will update.

Other sheets that reference this Master Sheet may or may not update, depending on how they are linked to this Master Sheet. This is why I suggested the following:

What you could do in this instance is have one cell-link between the 1st sheet and the 2nd sheet. In the cell in the 1st sheet, set up a simple =TODAY() formula to return today's date. That way, whenever the first sheet is opened, it will update the TODAY cell, which in turn will cell-link to the 2nd sheet and update TODAY on your second sheet and throughout your other formulas. You can more on cell linking here.

If you create a cell-link in the Master Sheet over to your second or third or fourth other sheets, then this cell-link will update the other sheets. But!!!! This is only if the cell that you have linked changes. That's why I suggested using the =TODAY() formula in that cell, as it will update when the sheet is opening, cell-link over to any of your other sheets, and update them there, which in turn will update all of their formulas.

Does that make sense?

Stefan · 07/13/20

Hi,

the function today is triggered, when the sheet is opened.

Hope this helps

Stefan

Yashwant Singh · 07/13/20

hi Stefan,

which sheet to be open..

using 2 sheets.. 1st for master data and 2nd for some logic's.

In 2nd sheet using counif with today() formula.. so which sheet to be open for changes master data or logic sheet.

Stefan · 07/13/20

Hi,

the sheet, where the TODAY function lives in. So in your case the 2nd sheet.

Hope this helps

Stefan

Yashwant Singh · 07/13/20

but hows possible..

based on my logic sheet creating dashboard and not sharing logic sheet to others.. so who will be open my logic sheet on daily bases.

Please suggest how to fix this challenge. and why smartsheet not fix today() date issues...

Stefan · 07/13/20

Hi,

you could use Zapier.com for example.

Or if you have sheets used on a daily basis you could place the TODAY function there and reference it from your logic sheet.

Hope this helps

Stefan

Yashwant Singh · 07/13/20

Hi,

thanks for suggestion..

Will work on 2nd option.... but why not smartsheet fix this issue..

Genevieve P. · 07/13/20

Hi @Yashwant Singh

A list of all the ways TODAY() will be updated can be found in our Help Center (see here).

Smartsheet will update all instances of the TODAY function in a sheet to the current date when any of the following actions are taken:

You open the sheet and save it
You add a new row to the sheet from a form submission
You make changes to the sheet from an update or approval request
You update the sheet by way of a report
A linked cell updates the sheet
You open the sheet being referenced in a cross-sheet formula

What you could do in this instance is have one cell-link between the 1st sheet and the 2nd sheet. In the cell in the 1st sheet, set up a simple =TODAY() formula to return today's date. That way, whenever the first sheet is opened, it will update the TODAY cell, which in turn will cell-link to the 2nd sheet and update TODAY on your second sheet and throughout your other formulas. You can more on cell linking here.

Hope that helps!

Cheers,

Genevieve

Yashwant Singh · 07/13/20

Hi @Genevieve P,

thanks for your information..

I will check same in my sheets and update you....Thanks again..

Yashwant Singh · 07/13/20

Hey @Genevieve P ,

currently working on 2 sheets( master data sheet, logic sheet) & dashboard.

master data sheet : contain all input data.

Logic sheet : applying formula for some data counts and Dashboard based on logic sheet.

so when I use Today() formula in master data sheet and cell link in logic sheet in various formulas. In that case we open master sheet and today() will be update automatically... right. ?

and for dashboard, count of data will be change automatically in dashboard or I will be open logic sheet to update my formulas.. plz help..

Genevieve P. · 07/13/20

Hi @Yashwant Singh

When you open a sheet it will update the instance of TODAY. Therefore, if you open the Master Sheet, all of its formulas will update. If those changed cells are then cell-linked into your Logic Sheet, then it will update the Logic sheet as well, yes.

Your Dashboard will then update because it's looking at these sheets. I presume you are using a Metric Widget, is that correct? If so, it will display whatever the cell in the sheet displays.

If this doesn't make sense, it would be useful to see screen captures of all three elements (Metric Sheet, Logic Sheet, and Dashboard) but please block out any sensitive data. Please also circle the cell-links, and paste the formulas you are using, along with identifying the widgets on the dashboard that are using this data.

Thanks!

Genevieve

Yashwant Singh · 07/13/20

HI @Genevieve P

Yes using Metric Widget for all my data summary counts..

if you open the Master Sheet, all of its formulas will update: means all sheets update automatically Wherever we would have added the formula today().. 2 or more sheets ...right...

Genevieve P. · 07/13/20

Hi @Yashwant Singh

Your Metric Widgets will automatically update when the sheet updates; it may take a few minutes to push out to the Dashboard, but it will happen automatically.

If you open the Master Sheet, all of its own formulas that have TODAY will update.

Other sheets that reference this Master Sheet may or may not update, depending on how they are linked to this Master Sheet. This is why I suggested the following:

What you could do in this instance is have one cell-link between the 1st sheet and the 2nd sheet. In the cell in the 1st sheet, set up a simple =TODAY() formula to return today's date. That way, whenever the first sheet is opened, it will update the TODAY cell, which in turn will cell-link to the 2nd sheet and update TODAY on your second sheet and throughout your other formulas. You can more on cell linking here.

If you create a cell-link in the Master Sheet over to your second or third or fourth other sheets, then this cell-link will update the other sheets. But!!!! This is only if the cell that you have linked changes. That's why I suggested using the =TODAY() formula in that cell, as it will update when the sheet is opening, cell-link over to any of your other sheets, and update them there, which in turn will update all of their formulas.

Does that make sense?

Yashwant Singh · 07/13/20

@Genevieve P Thank you for such a detailed answer...!!! You are awesome...

Andrea Vecchi · 07/23/20

https://community.smartsheet.com/discussion/comment/256348#Comment_256348

Hi @Genevieve P,

do you know if I add a row via an "copy row" automation will update the TODAY() function?

That would make my life much easier, I have a master sheet where TODAY() is located that I need to update on a Saturday as well, at the moment I have created an update request to myself and every Saturday morning I submit an update to the sheet, but I would like to fully automate the process if possible.

Thanks!

Andrée Starå · 07/27/20

Hi @Andrea Vecchi

Unfortunately, it will not because the formula won't copy over, but it's an excellent idea!

Please submit an Enhancement Request when you have a moment

As a possible workaround, you could add a so-called helper column in the destination sheet with the formula, and that would autofill to the copied row.

Would that work?

I hope that helps!

Be safe and have a fantastic week!

Best,

Andrée Starå | Workflow Consultant / CEO @ WORK BOLD

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