A better alternative to Mirror columns
TL;DR: Mirror columns are read-only and don't trigger most automations. If you're running into limitations, the Connect Boards column + a Connect & Sync recipe gives you the same visibility plus editable values, full automation support, and bidirectional sync. This article explains when to keep using Mirror columns vs when to switch.
What is a Mirror column (and where it falls short)
A Mirror column on monday.com lets you display information from another board inside your current board. It's useful for read-only visibility — like surfacing a status from a connected project on a master dashboard.
The limitations show up the moment you want to do something with the value:
- Read-only — you cannot update the value directly
- Won't trigger most automations (only 7 specific monday native triggers support mirror status — see monday's docs )
- Can't be used in many formulas, rollups, or dashboard widgets
- Source confusion — the value "lives" on another board, which can confuse teams
- Breaks with the connection — if the connect column is removed, the mirror breaks
For pure visibility, Mirror columns are fine. For anything operational (automations, updates, conditional logic, syncing), they're usually the wrong tool.
The Connect & Sync alternative
Instead of mirroring the value, sync the real column from one board to another using Connected Boards Automations. You get:
- Real values — editable, not read-only
- Full automation support — the value can trigger any automation that watches that column type
- Cleaner workflows — no "the data lives somewhere else" confusion
- Bidirectional sync — change a value on either board and the other follows
- Scalability — works across many boards and items
When to use which
How to set up Connect & Sync (step-by-step)
1. Add a Connect Boards column
On Board A, add a Connect Boards column and link it to Board B. Enable two-way connection when prompted so both sides see the link.
2. Link items
Connect each item to its corresponding item on the other board. You can do this manually for existing items, or use a Connect items across boards recipe to auto-link new items.
3. Create the sync automation
Use the Connected Boards Automations recipe:
"When item/subitem created, connect it to items/subitems from another board using this connect column when this column matches another column and sync ALL future changes where column name and type match."
This keeps the values aligned at all times — just like a Mirror column — but editable and automation-friendly.
4. (Optional) Make it two-way sync at the automation level
The recipe above already syncs in both directions. If you want stricter or additional triggers (e.g. sync only when status changes), pair it with another recipe from Two-way sync .
Why this works better
Mirror columns are perfect when you only need to see something. Syncing real columns is better when you need to work with something.
With synced columns you get editable fields, full automation support, no "hidden source" confusion, better performance, and scalability across many boards. This is the pattern we recommend to nearly every user running into Mirror column friction.
Walkthrough
Mirror columns aren't going away
If your use case is genuinely "I just need to see the value, never edit it, never trigger off it" — keep using Mirror columns. They're the simpler tool for that job. Switch to Connect & Sync only when you hit the limitations above.
Related
- Setting up Connect Boards columns — full setup guide for all 4 connection scenarios (item↔item, subitem↔item, etc.)
- Two-way sync — all two-way sync variants
- Connect new items and keep them synced two-way — the recipe used here, full leaf
- Updates & Communication Sync — including the "copy Mirror column value to a regular column" recipe (R11)
Need help picking the right structure?
We're happy to hop on a call to discuss your specific case and make sure the solution fits. Book a meeting or email hello@fantasymedia.io .