column description on sheet does not show on report

Peggy · 05/19/22

Hi,

I have two sheets with column descriptions. I have shared these sheets via a report for users to make their updates. From the Report they do not see the column descriptions.

Is there a way they can see the column descriptions?

Thanks,

Peggy

Andrée Starå · 05/20/22

Hi @Peggy

I hope you're well and safe!

Unfortunately, it's not possible now, but it's an excellent idea!

Please submit an Enhancement Request when you have a moment.

Here's a possible workaround or workarounds

Add a so-called Helper Row with the Description that would show at the top of the Report. I sometimes do this in my client solutions, and it works perfectly.

Would that work/help?

I hope that helps!

Be safe and have a fantastic weekend!

Best,

Andrée Starå | Workflow Consultant / CEO @ WORK BOLD

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Peggy · 05/23/22

Although this is a good workaround, this does not work for us. We filter by user name and if i add the helper row, it would have to be set for all the users.

Thank you for your help and response.

Peggy

maltaee · 10/06/22

https://community.smartsheet.com/discussion/comment/330433#Comment_330433

How do you the helper row at the top?

Sydni · 01/03/23

Although I understand Helper rows can be added, this seems clunky and unintuitive when the Column Description functionality already exists and is associated with the Sheet/Columns in use by the Report.

Ideally, I'd love to see an option whereby we could choose whether or not we want a Column Description to be carried over into a report by default (i.e., more flexibility than an all-or-nothing change). This same sort of flexibility would be great for conditional formatting, too.

JCardinal · 01/31/23

You can upvote the feature request at https://community.smartsheet.com/discussion/99627/adding-column-descriptions-to-reports

Kyle Chipman · 02/29/24

In full agreement; even something as simple as selecting a "dominant" sheet within the Report Builder flow that's used for Column Description reference.

There have been a number of these threads created. Consolidating links for in case others want to boost Enhancement Request votes:

ENHANCEMENT REQUSTS

Adding Column Descriptions to Reports

Descriptions for Reports

Include column description in Report

DISCUSSIONS

column description on sheet does not show on report

Can a column description show in a report or is there a way to to this at all please??

Column descriptions for Reports

GiselleU · 03/11/24

https://community.smartsheet.com/discussion/comment/330735#Comment_330735

In agreement with this. The column descriptions really should be able to carry over; it's a wonder that they can't. TO add, the "helper row" can't be attributed to all users that I'd want to filter by.

column description on sheet does not show on report

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