Connect subitems by column-contains match and keep them synced two-way
TL;DR: When an item or subitem is created here, the recipe connects it to items/subitems on another board whose column contains the matching value, then keeps every matching column synced both ways. Use when the matching key isn't perfectly clean.
What this does
Recipe: "When an item/subitem is created, connect it to all items/subitems from another board using this connect column if its column contains values that match this column of the other item, and sync ALL future changes where column name and type match."
Two things bundled into one recipe:
Auto-connect with contains matching — when a new item/subitem appears here, the recipe finds items on the other board where a column contains the matching value (not exact equals). Useful when keys have prefixes, suffixes, or noise.
Ongoing two-way sync — from that connection forward, any column with the same name and type on both boards stays in sync bidirectionally.
Works for item-to-item, item-to-subitem, subitem-to-item, and subitem-to-subitem connections.
When to use it
- Tagged keys: match "CUST-12345" on this board against "Customer ID: 12345" on the other board
- Email vs full name: match " alice@example.com " against an item named "Alice Smith — alice@example.com "
- Project codes embedded in names: match "PRJ-99" against item names containing the project code
For the standard exact-match two-way sync, use Connect new items and keep them synced two-way . For status-triggered two-way sync, see Connect items on status change and keep them synced two-way . For all subitem-related variants, see Subitem ↔ item connections .
Before you start
- A Connect Boards column on this board, configured to point at the target board (see Setting Up Connect Columns )
- Decide whether the trigger entity is items or subitems on this board
- Columns you want kept in sync must exist on both boards with the same name and type
- Plan the contains-match: which column on this board contains the value, and which column on the other side holds the longer string?
Set it up (4 minutes)
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Configure the Automation
1. Click Automate in the upper toolbar of your board.
2. Type "
connected boards automations" in the search bar.Select the Connected Boards Automations app from the search results.
3. Type "
contains" in the search bar to filter the recipes.Click Use template on the matching automation recipe.
4. Click on the two "items/subitems" selectors and choose whether you want to connect items to items, or subitems to subitems, or items to subitems, or subitems to items.
Warning: Please make sure you have a Connect Boards column that matches your sync direction. For example, if you want to connect items to subitems, make sure that your Connect Boards column on Board A actually connects to the subitems of Board B.
5. Click another board and select the other board you're connecting to.
6. Click connect column and select your Connect Boards column that links the two boards.
7. Click the first column parameter in the configuration sentence.
Info: This is the matching condition for connecting items/subitems across boards. For example: If you select "Name" and "Name" on both column selectors in the automation recipe — the item's name on Board A must contain a value that matches the Name of the item on Board B.
8. Choose the Attendees column as the data source. (This is just an example)
Info: You can also match different columns such as matching the Name to a Text column.
9. Click the second column parameter.
10. Choose Email as the target column to match against the Attendees column in your Contacts board. (This is just an example)
11. Click Create automation to finalize and save the rule.
Info: This creates a two-way sync between your boards. As long as columns share identical names (like Status or Date), changes made in one board will automatically reflect in the other. To prevent specific columns from syncing, simply rename them so they no longer match.
Q: Does the order of the email addresses matter when adding multiple attendees?
A: No, as long as the target email address matches a contact in your board, its position among the list of attendees does not matter.
Q: How can I prevent specific columns from syncing between boards?
A: Ensure the column names in the two connected boards do not match. Only columns with identical names will undergo two-way syncing.
Connected Boards Automation
A native monday.com application that allows users to create workflows which automatically link and sync data between separate boards.
Connect column
A specific column type in monday.com designed to link individual items from one board to items in another board.
Two-way sync
A data integration method where updates made in either of two connected locations are automatically pushed to the other.
Common gotchas
- Contains matching is broad. Short or generic values (e.g. "A", "ID", "Test") will match many items. Pick distinctive matching keys.
- "Same name and type" still applies for sync. Columns must match exactly across both boards for the ongoing sync to work.
- Bidirectional sync means both boards can overwrite. Whoever edits last wins. Use a one-way recipe if one board should be the source of truth.
- Only applies to items/subitems created after setup. Existing rows aren't retroactively connected.
Use this when keys have noise. If your matching column on the other board includes prefixes, suffixes, or surrounding text, this recipe handles that without you needing to normalise the values first.
Next up
Related
- Subitem ↔ item connections (parent landing)
- Connect new items and keep them synced two-way — exact-match version
- Connect items on status change and keep them synced two-way — status-triggered two-way variant
- Two-way sync — all two-way variants
- Setting Up Connect Columns — prerequisite
Still stuck?