我们ing an Automation to Duplicate a Row in the Same Sheet

Jeff Kline

I have read several posts that suggests that this is not currently an option.

I have a sheet which contains a list of evaluations. Sometimes we have to complete a second, or even third evaluation of the same person. Each row represents a person and their evaluation. If we have to do a second evaluation then much of the data in the row is unchanged. So we want to duplicate that row in the same sheet and update a few fields.

So my staff receives a report to process, and use a Report that pulls the pending evaluations. They enter some values. I want them to enter a value (a checkbox in a column named "Duplicate Row"). I want that checkbox to trigger an automation that Duplicates the row in the same sheet, puts it at the bottom, and then changes a few values - specifically unmarking the "Duplicate Row" box.

Is there a work around that does not involve programming? Is there a way to create an automation maybe opens a "Temp Sheet" and then moves the row back to the original sheet? Maybe by triggering a second automation? I could have them do it in the original sheet with a simple Copy and Paste, but that sheet contains 1000s of rows. Also the report allows me to filter out the unneeded columns and focus on this task.

Paul Newcome

You would need to set up a second sheet with an automation. Basically you would use a Copy Row automation to move it off of the main working sheet, use a Copy Row automation to move it off of the second sheet and back onto the main sheet, then use a Clear Cell automation to delete the data you want removed.

Jeff Kline

You would need to set up a second sheet with an automation. Basically you would use a Copy Row automation to move it off of the main working sheet, use a Copy Row automation to move it off of the second sheet and back onto the main sheet, then use a Clear Cell automation to delete the data you want removed.<\/p>","bodyRaw":"[{\"insert\":\"You would need to set up a second sheet with an automation. Basically you would use a Copy Row automation to move it off of the main working sheet, use a Copy Row automation to move it off of the second sheet and back onto the main sheet, then use a Clear Cell automation to delete the data you want removed.\\n\"}]","format":"rich","dateInserted":"2023-03-02T14:20:59+00:00","insertUser":{"userID":45516,"name":"Paul Newcome","title":"","url":"https:\/\/community.smartsheet.com\/profile\/Paul%20Newcome","photoUrl":"https:\/\/us.v-cdn.net\/6031209\/uploads\/userpics\/082\/nQPUTVFKKWDJ2.jpg","dateLastActive":"2023-08-25T17:46:09+00:00","banned":0,"punished":0,"private":false,"label":"✭✭✭✭✭✭"},"displayOptions":{"showUserLabel":false,"showCompactUserInfo":true,"showDiscussionLink":false,"showPostLink":false,"showCategoryLink":false,"renderFullContent":false,"expandByDefault":false},"url":"https:\/\/community.smartsheet.com\/discussion\/comment\/365153#Comment_365153","embedType":"quote"}"> https://community.smartsheet.com/discussion/comment/365153#Comment_365153

Paul, How would I trigger the automation in the second sheet? Also, if I triggered this from a report (using a checkbox) would a simple refresh to update the report cause all the automations to trigger and update the report with the new row?

Thanks for your help.

Andrée Starå

Hi@Jeff Kline

I hope you're well and safe!

You'd trigger it by a Workflow that triggers by added rows.

It would trigger when you save the changes in the Report.

I hope that helps!

Be safe, and have a fantastic week!

Best,

Andrée Starå| Workflow Consultant / CEO @WORK BOLD

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Paul Newcome

@Jeff KlineYou would se the automation in the second sheet to trigger when rows are added so that you shouldn't have to go into the second sheet for anything.

Checking the box from a report should work as that feeds directly to the sheet itself.

Jeff Kline

@Jeff Kline<\/a> You would se the automation in the second sheet to trigger when rows are added so that you shouldn't have to go into the second sheet for anything.<\/p>

Checking the box from a report should work as that feeds directly to the sheet itself.<\/p>","bodyRaw":"[{\"insert\":{\"mention\":{\"name\":\"Jeff Kline\",\"userID\":158182}}},{\"insert\":\" You would se the automation in the second sheet to trigger when rows are added so that you shouldn't have to go into the second sheet for anything.\\n\\nChecking the box from a report should work as that feeds directly to the sheet itself.\\n\"}]","format":"rich","dateInserted":"2023-03-03T17:30:31+00:00","insertUser":{"userID":45516,"name":"Paul Newcome","title":"","url":"https:\/\/community.smartsheet.com\/profile\/Paul%20Newcome","photoUrl":"https:\/\/us.v-cdn.net\/6031209\/uploads\/userpics\/082\/nQPUTVFKKWDJ2.jpg","dateLastActive":"2023-08-25T17:46:09+00:00","banned":0,"punished":0,"private":false,"label":"✭✭✭✭✭✭"},"displayOptions":{"showUserLabel":false,"showCompactUserInfo":true,"showDiscussionLink":false,"showPostLink":false,"showCategoryLink":false,"renderFullContent":false,"expandByDefault":false},"url":"https:\/\/community.smartsheet.com\/discussion\/comment\/365482#Comment_365482","embedType":"quote"}"> https://community.smartsheet.com/discussion/comment/365482#Comment_365482

Paul and Andree,

I was able to trigger 2 automations by using a "temp" sheet to store the row.

Here is the flow:

I check a box in a column called "Duplicate Row"

It copies that row to a "temp" sheet.

That triggers an automated work flow in "temp"

That workflow is supposed to:

uncheck the "Duplicate Row" box,

Change the value of a couple of rows

Then move that row to the main sheet, "Client" Sheet.

But the second automation will not allow me to uncheck the boxes and change cell values then copy the row.

I cannot figure out why I cannot change the cell values and then move the row? I can move the row, but not both steps. Any ideas why of the limits?

Paul Newcome

Have you tried setting up two separate automations?

Jeff Kline

Paul and Andree, you have both been a big help. Paul the two automations do seem to work. I think it is a bit clumsy. I am adding it to my suggestion list for the developers. I think they should make it so that I would not have to have two autmations and maybe make it easier to do these types of procedures. Or just add row duplication to Reports with a right click.

Andrée Starå

@Jeff Kline

Excellent!

You're more than welcome!

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Paul Newcome

Happy to help.️

johngraham78

I have been using this same workflow to duplicate rows within a sheet. However, a problem occurs when you have a column that is anauto numberand need a new number created. Copying from sheet to sheetkeepsthe auto number value, but copying a row within a sheet assigns anewvalue -- it's inconsistent behavior.

Not sure if anyone has come across this but I can't seem to find a workaround that will remedy this. Of course I could manually change the column type in the helper sheet, delete the auto number, then turn it back to an auto number field. But I'm looking for something automated.