Forum Discussion

JENNIFERPASCHAL's avatar
JENNIFERPASCHAL
Qrew Trainee
5 years ago

Automation Filters Multiple Values

The goal is to make updates to multiple values in table A with user input values in table B. The issue I am running into is when the update is provided with any blank values (because they only want to update some of the values)

 

I have tried two approaches and both are causing issues:

 

  • I built a single automation for updating all the values. But as I described above, if the user leaves any of the values blank it pushes the blank value to table A and potentially overrides data. Is there a way to put in a filter on the trigger of an automation to say only update value x if it is not blank, value y if it is not blank, value z if it is not blank or any combination?

 

  • I also tried making an automation for each value (an automation for x, an automation for y, and any automation for z) that has the condition if the field is not blank in the trigger statement but this is causing issues when they are trying to run at the same time. Currently these automations only work properly if all values are filled in. If only one values if filled in it does not execute the update.

 

The end goal is to have an automation that will push updates to table A when I make updates in table B for the fields modified ONLY. i.e. I go into table b for record XYZ, if I left field x and field y blank in table B, then make NO updates to table A. If I update field z in table B, then push this update to table A.

 

Please let me know if you have any ideas on how to get the higher level automation to work as this is the desired method since I have 2 forms of updates and at least 3 fields per.



------------------------------
Thanks in advance,
Jennifer Paschal
------------------------------
  • can you explain his statement further?

    I also tried making an automation for each value (an automation for x, an automation for y, and any automation for z) that has the condition if the field is not blank in the trigger statement but this is causing issues when they are trying to run at the same time.

    ------------------------------
    Mark Shnier (YQC)
    Quick Base Solution Provider
    Your Quick Base Coach
    http://QuickBaseCoach.com
    mark.shnier@gmail.com
    ------------------------------
    • JENNIFERPASCHAL's avatar
      JENNIFERPASCHAL
      Qrew Trainee

      Hi Mark -

       

      Sure: here is some more background. Hope it helps!

       

      Currently, I have the automation running for 2 fields (the third field requires external data that has not been set up yet). If I put in a value for x or y but not both there is no update made but if I put in a value for both then the fields are updated.

       

      The way this works:

       

      On the same form where the user inputs what data they want to update, there is also an embedded table that pulls in filtered results from table A. They have a checkbox (in the embedded report from table A) where they can indicate which records they want to update. The two automations are both setup to run if the value (x for example) is not blank and the checkbox is checked. The action in the automation copies the value from table B into table A.



      ------------------------------
      Thanks in advance,
      Jennifer Paschal
      ------------------------------
      • MarkShnier__You's avatar
        MarkShnier__You
        Icon for Qrew Legend rankQrew Legend
        The user does their Updates into Table B.  Does Table B know the current value in Table A for those fields? (or if not, is there a way to get those values to table B?

        For example, you are trying to gather up any new Mobile phone #s.

        Then what you can do is have a formula field called [Phone# to be updated into Table B]

        That will be a formula that checks if there is a non blank update to the Mobile phone # and uses that value else uses the original value.  So the Automation will always copy the field from Table B into table A, but the formula field will contain the old original value if there was no update.​​​

        ------------------------------
        Mark Shnier (YQC)
        Quick Base Solution Provider
        Your Quick Base Coach
        http://QuickBaseCoach.com
        mark.shnier@gmail.com
        ------------------------------