Troubleshoot linked dropdown columns

Learn how to troubleshoot the most common issues that appear when working with linked dropdown columns to keep your data connected and accurate.

Who can use this?

Plans:

  • Pro
  • Business
  • Enterprise

Permissions:

Users need Viewer permissions to the source sheet and Admin permissions to the target sheet. 

Find out if this capability is included in Smartsheet Regions or Smartsheet Gov.

Here are some general troubleshooting steps to resolve simple errors and help identify larger issues.

Error messages 

 

Error messagePossible causeResolution
The source column no longer existsThe source column was deleted.You need to reset the connection between the target column and the source sheet so that it can pull the data again. 
Sheet cannot be foundThe source sheet was deleted. You need to reset the connection between the target column and the source sheet to pull live data.
No results found The source column field in column properties is empty.Add the source column in the column properties.  
Column is linked to a dropdown list in another sheetThis shows when trying to delete a source column that is already linked in another sheet. Instead of deleting the source column, contact the sheet Admin to get more information.
The linked source column and sheet can't be found or have been modified. The source column was deleted. You must add the source column to reestablish the link.
The dropdown is showing no values, but a filter is applied.
  • The column used as the filter source was deleted or changed to an incompatible type, breaking the filter condition.
  • The referenced column does not contain a value that matches the applied filter, so no results are returned — even though the filter itself is valid.
  • The dropdown is populated only from values in the cells of the source column, not from values defined in the column properties. If the source sheet has only a few values in the column, the dropdown reflects only those values, regardless of how many options are configured in the column's properties.
  • The sheet Admin must update the filter condition. 
  • The sheet Admin must verify that the data is found in the source sheet column.
A warning appears before deleting a columnThe column you're trying to delete is being used as a filter source for a linked dropdown column in another sheet. Select Cancel to keep the column and the filter intact, or select Proceed to delete the column. If you proceed, the linked dropdown will return no values until the filter is updated.

Keep in mind that if you delete a linked dropdown column, the values are retained at the last known point, and the data then becomes a Dropdown list of values without the live connection to the source sheet. 

See the Create linked dropdown columns article to learn more about establishing a connection between a source and a target column.