Columns Value Sync
TL;DR: Push column values across connected items when a column changes, a new connection is created, a button is clicked, or a status hits a target value. Four recipes covering every common trigger for value-sync.
When to use these automations
- You want column values to flow between items already connected, not just when items are first linked
- You need a button-driven manual "sync now" instead of automatic on-change
- A status milestone should propagate a specific column value to all linked items
Before you start
- Items on this board must already be connected via a Connect Boards column (see Setting up Connect Boards columns )
- Columns you want kept in sync must exist on both boards with the same name and type
- For the button recipe: a Button column on this board (or you'll add one in setup)
Pick the recipe that fits your workflow
1. Sync values when a new item is added to a connect column
Recipe: "When a new item is added to connect column, sync the values from this item to the newly connected item where column name and type match."
The moment a new item is added to a connect column on this board, the recipe pushes this board's current values to that newly connected item. Only columns with the same name and type are synced.
Use when: you want new connections to instantly inherit values from the master record on this board.
2. Sync values when a button is clicked
Recipe: "When button clicked sync the values from this item to all connected items where column names and types match."
Manual sync trigger. Clicking the button on an item pushes its values to all connected items. Same-name-and-type matching as the other sync recipes.
Use when: automatic sync isn't desired (e.g. drafts should stay separate until approved). Use the button to "publish" the current values out to linked records.
3. When a column changes, sync to connected items
4. Sync this column to all connected items when status changes
Recipe: "When status changes to something, sync this column to all connected items in this connect column if the column name and column type matches in this board."
Stage-gated push. When a status reaches a target value, the recipe syncs a specific column from this board to all connected items. The "this column" must have the same name and type on the connected board.
Use when: a column value should only propagate at a workflow milestone (e.g. push Final Price to all connected order lines once status flips to "Approved").
Common gotchas
- "Same name and type" is strict for ALL these recipes. A Text column won't sync with a Long Text column even if both are called "Notes". Align columns first.
- One-way push. All these recipes push from this board to connected items. For bidirectional sync, use Sync all changes between connected items .
- Read-only columns can't be the destination. Mirror, Formula, and Last-updated columns silently drop the write on the connected board.
- Each sync consumes 1 action per connected item. Loose connections (many links per item) can burn through quota faster than expected.
- The button recipe needs a button column. Add one before setup, or the recipe will offer to create one for you.
Related
- Sync values between connected items (parent landing)
- When a column changes, sync to connected items — full leaf for the column-change variant
- Sync all changes between connected items — bidirectional sync
- Special Dates Sync — date-specific variants
- Setting up Connect Boards columns — prerequisite
Still stuck?