Converting copy/paste markdown syntax to rich text in long text columns

[Mope_Akande]

I created a formula column (B) so that it contains a different kind of checklist for each record, depending on the value in another column (A). For example, in column B, each record has either of these two checklists
x
y
z

or
red
blue
green

Because I want the checklists to appear in rich text format, so that I can easily select a checkbox, I duplicated the formula column (B) to create a new column (dupB) that is long text with rich text enabled. Is there a way to automatically make the checklists in dupB show up as richtext so that I can make selections using a checkmark? I could do this manually but I’d have too many records to change

[Justin_Barrett]

Welcome to the community, @Mope_Akande! :grinning_face_with_big_eyes: This is doable using an automation. For the automation trigger, set it to “When record is updated”, looking specifically for changes to the formula field that creates the checkbox list. Here’s a shortcut way to build the markdown without having to manually type it all out for both options:

IF(
    Option,
    "[ ] " & SUBSTITUTE(
        SWITCH(
            Option,
            "Option A", "x,y,z",
            "Option B", "red,green,blue"
        ), ",", "\n[ ] "
    )
)

The only action you’ll need will be “Update record,” which will copy the formula field output into the long text field with rich text enabled. Once this automation is enabled, any change to the formula field’s output will trigger the automation to copy that output to the rich text field, so you can hide the formula field and just use the rich text field.

From your description, it sounds like the formula output will only change once, so you shouldn’t have to worry about your rich text checklist being erased.