Hello!
I am trying to figure out a formula that grabs a start date when a previous task ends. So in row 2 the Task Dependency is DEC:Project Setup. In row 1 you see the task is DEC: Project Setup with the task due date being 5/13/2022. I want to create a formula that takes this due date and puts it as the Task Start Date in row 2.
Thanks in advance for any help anyone can provide!
The If statement will only let me search in the same row, but I would like to be able to search the whole column for a specific value. if anyone knows a workaround for a WHERE statement that would be ideal.
Hi Michael, as you’ve discovered, formulas can only pull data from the same row they’re in.
If you’re open to changing up your workflow / base set up a bit, I would recommend you create a linked field in the table to link tasks together like so:
With this method, any changes to the Due Date value of Task 1 will automatically show up in the Start Date field of Task 2
You can find the set up here
If you don’t want to use linked fields like in the example above, the only way to accomplish what you’re trying to do would be with a script I think, but that would get complicated very quickly. Let me know if that’s really something you want to do, but I really do not recommend it unless you’re already familiar with JavaScript
Thank you for the input! This is very helpful. I will try it out and see how it works before attempting to create a script.
Alright, I have run into another problem when adding a layer to my formula. In order for me to add a due date the the newly added start date I want to reference a duration field so that the due date is automatically calculated.
My problem now is that I am running into a circular reference which is preventing me from being able to automatically calculate the end date for tasks.
Apologies, I’m finding this hard to visualize. Would it be possible to provide a screenshot of the fields please?
Here’s my attempt at trying to mimick your set up; not sure if it helps!
Yup. Circular reference errors are a major difference between spreadsheets and a database system like Airtable.
What you want is difficult to impossible in Airtable without scripting or massive numbers of automation runs.
Does anyone have a suggestion on a better way to track tasks with different due dates and dependencies for a project? even if it might be outside of Airtable I am just curious to gather thoughts about this.
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