Using TODAY function to calculate a half life

Alexa Jans

I am trying to use the TODAY function to continuously track half-lives of different radioactive material for inventory purposes. For example, if I order 50 mCi of lead 203 which has a half life of 51.8 hours, how can I make a formula to check how much has decayed in two days? Basically, is there a way to make the TODAY function not only track the date, but also any given time of the day?

SoS | Dan Palenchar

Try using either the Auto Created (Date) or Auto Modified (Date) columns. They include time stamps. You would probably need to use some type of copy row automation to keep a record of time changes and then use a lookup formula comparing those data points to make your calculations, not a super easy thing to do...

Andrée Starå

Hi@Alexa Jans

To add to Dan’s excellent advice.

Please have a look at my post below with a method I developed that might help.

Another option could be to develop something a 3rd party solution like Zapier.

More info:

Hi all,<\/p>

I hope you're well and safe!<\/p>

I've developed a solution that lets you store the date or value.<\/strong><\/p>

You'd use the copy-row automation and a VLOOKUP or combination of INDEX\/MATCH to make it work.<\/p>

We'd trigger the copy-row to another sheet and get the created date\/other value and then use the VLOOKUP\/INDEX\/MATCH to get it back to the main sheet in another so-called helper column. As long as you have a unique id\/value that we can use, it will work.<\/p>

Also, this opens up more options with auto-numbering and similar.<\/p>

Depending on other workflows, you could reuse one sheet for multiple workflows.<\/p>

I hope that helps!<\/p>

Let me know if you have any questions!<\/p>

Stay safe and have a fantastic day!<\/p>

Best,<\/p>

Andrée Starå<\/p>

Workflow Consultant \/ CEO @ WORK BOLD<\/strong><\/a><\/p>","bodyRaw":"[{\"insert\":\"Hi all,\\n\\nI hope you're well and safe!\\n\\nI've developed a solution that lets you \"},{\"attributes\":{\"bold\":true},\"insert\":\"store the date or value.\"},{\"insert\":\"\\n\\nYou'd use the copy-row automation and a VLOOKUP or combination of INDEX\\\/MATCH to make it work.\\nWe'd trigger the copy-row to another sheet and get the created date\\\/other value and then use the VLOOKUP\\\/INDEX\\\/MATCH to get it back to the main sheet in another so-called helper column. As long as you have a unique id\\\/value that we can use, it will work.\\n\\nAlso, this opens up more options with auto-numbering and similar.\\nDepending on other workflows, you could reuse one sheet for multiple workflows.\\n\\nI hope that helps!\\n\\nLet me know if you have any questions!\\n\\nStay safe and have a fantastic day!\\n\\nBest,\\n\\nAndrée Starå\\n\\nWorkflow Consultant \\\/ CEO @ \"},{\"attributes\":{\"bold\":true,\"link\":\"https:\\\/\\\/workbold.com\\\/\"},\"insert\":\"WORK BOLD\"},{\"insert\":\"\\n\"}]","format":"rich","dateInserted":"2020-05-24T11:36:34+00:00","insertUser":{"userID":8888,"name":"Andrée Starå","title":"Smartsheet Expert Consultant & Partner | Workflow Consultant \/ CEO @ WORK BOLD","url":"https:\/\/community.smartsheet.com\/profile\/Andr%C3%A9e%20Star%C3%A5","photoUrl":"https:\/\/us.v-cdn.net\/6031209\/uploads\/userpics\/0PAU3GBYQLBT\/nXWM7QXGD6464.jpg","dateLastActive":"2023-08-26T17:06:33+00:00","banned":0,"punished":0,"private":false,"label":"✭✭✭✭✭✭"},"displayOptions":{"showUserLabel":false,"showCompactUserInfo":true,"showDiscussionLink":true,"showPostLink":true,"showCategoryLink":false,"renderFullContent":false,"expandByDefault":false},"url":"https:\/\/community.smartsheet.com\/discussion\/68589\/lock-or-store-date-value-solution-without-using-zapier","embedType":"quote","name":"Lock or Store Date\/Value Solution without using Zapier"}"> https://community.smartsheet.com/discussion/68589/lock-or-store-date-value-solution-without-using-zapier

Would that work/help?

I hope that helps!

Be safe and have a fantastic weekend!

Best,

Andrée Starå| Workflow Consultant / CEO @WORK BOLD

✅Did my post(s) help or answer your question or solve your problem? Please help the Community bymarking it as the accepted answer/helpful. It will make it easier for others to find a solution or help to answer!