Missing Attachment as Notification Trigger - Smartsheet Automations?

KT_H · 07/31/23

I have built out a multi-use form that, depending on the user, requires attachments to be added. Since I cannot conditionally require attachments in the form I am trying to build an automation that triggers a notification to the form submitter if they neglect to add an attachment when it is required... but I continue to stump myself.

The initial submission will flag a date in a helper column when attachments are added. That date column is used as a condition on the "Attachments Missing" update request. But the trigger for both automations is "When Rows Are Added" so often times the "Attachments Missing" update request gets triggered even when attachments have been added. Is there a way around this without doing a date based notification trigger?

Including Screenshots of both automations.

Screen Shot 2023-07-31 at 11.47.52 AM.png

Screen Shot 2023-07-31 at 11.47.32 AM.png

JamesB · 07/31/23

Ok, how about using a helper column with a 0 or 1 being input by your automation, and then use this as the trigger. So set the default on the column to 0, and if an attachment is there, leave it at 0. Then if an attachment is not there workflow will set it to 1, and that would trigger the automated workflow to run.

JamesB · 07/31/23

Wouldn't your second automation look to see if the cell Attachment Added with initial submission has changed, to determine a course of action to take?

KT_H · 07/31/23

https://community.smartsheet.com/discussion/comment/388089#Comment_388089

It does. That is the first condition of the Automation EN2.

Screen Shot 2023-07-31 at 12.17.03 PM.png

Important to note that a change only occurs if an attachment is added, so it can't serve as a trigger for automation EN2, since no change is noted if an attachment is missing.

JamesB · 07/31/23

Ok, how about using a helper column with a 0 or 1 being input by your automation, and then use this as the trigger. So set the default on the column to 0, and if an attachment is there, leave it at 0. Then if an attachment is not there workflow will set it to 1, and that would trigger the automated workflow to run.

KT_H · 07/31/23

https://community.smartsheet.com/discussion/comment/388094#Comment_388094

Ah! This would work. Thank you.

KT_H · 07/31/23

https://community.smartsheet.com/discussion/comment/388094#Comment_388094

Wait, I think I am maybe confused. What would the trigger and conditions be in this scenario? Or what would you imagine they would be? I can't use attachment as a condition and I can't use it as a trigger in this scenario.

Razetto · 07/31/23

@KT_H Is the issue resolved if you remove the 'changed' off workflow A1? Depending on what other columns you have maybe one could be used a condition in a new workflow that covers attachment changes.

KT_H · 07/31/23

https://community.smartsheet.com/discussion/comment/388119#Comment_388119

@Razetto unfortunately, the issue is not resolved by removing "changed".

Missing Attachment as Notification Trigger - Smartsheet Automations?

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