Automation to change cell which has drop-down values does not work

summetg · 01/28/22

Hi all,

I'm using the automation function to synchronize 2 columns (see below).

Essentially I have a column on a sheet which I called "Project Status" which is referenced out to another sheet. If this sheet is populated with a status, it should trigger a change in a drop-down column next to it called "Current Status". I've configured the automation to work when "rows are changed or added". I will be also setting up a couple other automations which will sync "Project (On-Hold)", "Project (Complete)" and "Project Cancelled". In addition, I have tried changing the current status field to be restricted to 1 choice and keeping it unchecked as well.

Automation Config

Current Status should change when the Project Status is populated or changed (blue highlights the referenced column changes). Current Status field did not changed and stayed as "Backlog"

Current Status Field Config

Thank you for your help!

Jeff Reisman · 01/28/22

Certain automations can not be triggered by a change to a cell which gets its value via a cell-link (formula pulling from another sheet.) I believe this includes the Change a Cell Value and the Record a Date automations.

https://help.smartsheet.com/articles/2482299-change-cell-value-in-an-automated-workflow

Instead you may consider setting the value based on a time trigger. Set the trigger to be "When a Date is reached," select custom, and set it to run daily at a specific time (maybe end of the day or beginning of the day) to update your Current Status column to reflect the value in the Project Status column.

summetg · 01/28/22

I'm going to give this a try - unfortunate I cannot get it working in real-time. Thanks!

Jeff Reisman · 01/28/22

https://community.smartsheet.com/discussion/comment/317765#Comment_317765

Closest you could get to real time would be to create 8 or 10 copies of the workflow, and run them in sequence every hour. Workflow 1 at 8am, Workflow 2 at 9am, etc.

summetg · 01/28/22

Got it - thanks!

summetg · 01/28/22

Sorry I just tried it and scheduled it for 12PM - no luck

Jeff Reisman · 01/28/22

Another user is currently experiencing something similar, while it works just fine for me.

NEED TO ADD LAST COMPLETION DATE IN COMPLETION DATE COLUMN — Smartsheet Community

You might need to contact support, because this is supposed to work and DOES work for me..

A Rose · 06/15/23

Does hourly workflow work for this?

A Rose · 06/15/23

When trying to save, It says not allowed for this workflow (change cell value)... I guess will use @Jeff Reisman suggestion to have a few workflows.

Thank you!

Automation to change cell which has drop-down values does not work

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