how to set the timestamp in a cell if another cell (status) has changed

Joachim Mund · 03/01/21

Hi all,

cell "status" is set to "open", "work" and than "finished".

I would like to set cells "open status date", "work status date", "finished status date" with the timestamp of the change of "status". How could this be done? Workflow is not able to set the value of a cell :-(.

Thank you

Mike Wilday · 03/01/21

Workflows CAN set the timestamp of the data of status.

You just need to set the conditions. You can set up a new workflow like this...

Note: each of those Pink boxes is a Condition Path. Which allows you to set different actions based on items in the condition. This workflow sets a date in the required path after setting the status.

Do be aware that the date records immediately but it is only reflected after the change is saved and teh sheet is reloaded.

See my video below as an example.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wHePeryiGghR1nNxGzf0xRUJ8e8r-tvd/view?usp=drivesdk

Mike Wilday · 03/01/21

Whoops. Paul is right. it doesn't include a timestamp. Paul's use case could work to. I imagine you could use three different sheets, one to copy all Work, One to copy all open, and one to copy all finished. then as he indicated use a lookup feature to pull those dates from their respected copy sheets.

Paul Newcome · 03/01/21

You could use a Record a Date automation to grab the date.

If you definitely need the timestamp, you would use a Modified (date) column type with a copy row automation and then a formula with a cross sheet reference to pull the date/time stamp.

Mike Wilday · 03/01/21

Workflows CAN set the timestamp of the data of status.

You just need to set the conditions. You can set up a new workflow like this...

Note: each of those Pink boxes is a Condition Path. Which allows you to set different actions based on items in the condition. This workflow sets a date in the required path after setting the status.

Do be aware that the date records immediately but it is only reflected after the change is saved and teh sheet is reloaded.

See my video below as an example.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wHePeryiGghR1nNxGzf0xRUJ8e8r-tvd/view?usp=drivesdk

Andrée Starå · 03/01/21

Hi @Joachim Mund

I hope you're well and safe!

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

More info:

https://community.smartsheet.com/discussion/68589/lock-or-store-date-value-solution-without-using-zapier

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!

Mike Wilday · 03/01/21

Whoops. Paul is right. it doesn't include a timestamp. Paul's use case could work to. I imagine you could use three different sheets, one to copy all Work, One to copy all open, and one to copy all finished. then as he indicated use a lookup feature to pull those dates from their respected copy sheets.

Joachim Mund · 03/01/21

https://community.smartsheet.com/discussion/comment/281676#Comment_281676

Thank you Mike, setting a date in a workflow was new to me.

It works fine, thank you

P.S. actually datestamp is for the moment enough

Mike Wilday · 03/09/21

Awesome!

aharvey · 12/21/22

@Andrée Starå I tried to follow your process above but when I returned the value it is only displaying as a date stamp because of the column type being date. Is there a way to return/display date and time in the same cell just like a created date or modified date?