Does Automation Not Work with Formulas?

Question

I'm trying to build workflows where:

Sheet A: has my data

Sheet B: is my target sheet. Based on an Index/Match formula, I want to record a date automation when X value changes based on the INDEX/MATCH formula. It worked when I used to update it with Data Shuttle, but no longer does with automation.

A similar second example: Using index/match to check if unique values exist in my target sheet. If they don't, flag it. Based on that flag, run a copy row automation to my target sheet.

Does Smartsheet truly have automation limitations when paired with formulas as the trigger?

Paul Newcome · Answer

It is part of Smartsheet's documentation:

https://help.smartsheet.com/articles/2482644-create-cross-sheet-references#toc-tips-for-working-with-references

Andrée Starå · Answer

https://community.smartsheet.com/discussion/147984/does-automation-not-work-with-formulas

Hi,

I hope you're well and safe!

It's been a little wonky with the issues Smartsheet has had/are having, but before that, it worked consistently for me.

The latest solution I developed uses INDEX/MATCH to collect a checked box; if it's checked, it triggers an Update Request.

I hope that helps!

Have a fantastic day!

Andrée Starå | Smartsheet Expert Consultant and Partner / CEO @ WORK BOLD

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Nbicak · Answer

Specific to your second example, I've had sucess used countif(s) formulas in a text/number column to flag duplicate or missing UIDs and trigger workflows. You should be able to countif value@row in Sheet A is in the corresponding column in Sheet B. Automation triggers where Formula column changes to Any Value and in this example one of my conditions would be where formula cell = 0.