automatically calculating dates based on dates from previous task end dates

[fighting_age]

I am trying to create a project tracker with a task list and start dates and end dates for each task that are calculated automatically based on a dependent (linked) task and its associated dates. My problem is how to create the first row because no matter what formulas I build for the various date columns, I end up with a circular reference error. I'm expect this is possible in Airtable but I haven't figured out how to do it.

I have tried adding a Manual Date column and a Calculated Date Column and then using this function for the start date of each task

IF(
{Previous Task},
{Calculated Start Date},
{Manual Start Date}
)

But it still gives me a circular error reference.

[TheTimeSavingCo]

Yeah, I take it you're using a lookup to grab the end date from the previous task or something?  I usually workaround this by either writing a script or using an automation to place the lookup field value into an actual date field, and then reference that new date field instead

Not terribly elegant and hopefully someone else has a better idea!