Initial value to be the previous value of adjacent column

[Steven_Velletri]

I want the initial value of a form value to equal the previous value of the adjacent column.
The formula would look like this R[-1]C[1] but this can’t be entered for initial value. How do i do this?

I could create another column which has this value but it seems overkill.

Cheers
Steven

[WillowMobileSys]

There are [_THISROW_BEFORE] and [_THISROW_AFTER] variables. You might see if you can use the [_THISROW_BEFORE].[Adjacent_Column] in the initial value of your problem column.

I have never used these in a Form view, so I am not certain if they are available there.

If that doesn’t work, I don’t see any way you can get around using another column.

[Steve]

WillowMobileSystems:

There are [_THISROW_BEFORE] and [_THISROW_AFTER] variables.

I believe these are only available in workflow expressions.

[WillowMobileSys]

Steve:

I believe these re only available in workflow expressions.

Yeah, I wasn’t sure and didn’t have time to check myself. Maybe a feature request?

Steve:

Row and column adjacency really isn’t a thing with AppSheet, so best to reconsider your requirement. It sounds to me that you want the initial value of some column–let’s call it ColumnA –to come from a different column– ColumnB –of the previous most-recently-added row. Set the Initial value expression for ColumnA to something like this:

Good point! I wasn’t thinking in sheet terms. I was assuming editing of an existing row.

[Steve]

Steven_Velletri:

I want the initial value of a form value to equal the previous value of the adjacent column.
The formula would look like this R[-1]C[1] but this can’t be entered for initial value. How do i do this?

Row and column adjacency really isn’t a thing with AppSheet, so best to reconsider your requirement. It sounds to me that you want the initial value of some column–let’s call it ColumnA–to come from a different column–ColumnB–of the previous most-recently-added row. Set the Initial value expression for ColumnA to something like this:

ANY(
  SELECT(
    MyTable[ColumnB],
    ([_ROWNUMBER] = MAX(MyTable[_ROWNUMBER]))
  )
)

[_ROWNUMBER] refers to a row’s number in the spreadsheet. Assuming the rows in your spreadsheet are added in chronological order, oldest at the top and newest at the bottom, the newest row will have the highest row number. MyTable[_ROWNUMBER] (replace MyTable with the name of your table) gives a list of row numbers in your table.

See also:

help.appsheet.com

ANY()

One arbitrary list item

help.appsheet.com

MAX()

Highest item in list

help.appsheet.com

SELECT()

Gather column values from row in table or slice

help.appsheet.com

App Formulas and Initial Values

How you can set app formulas and initial values to dynamically assign values.

help.appsheet.com

List Expressions and Aggregates

List expressions use operators that result in a list or numeric value.

[Steven_Velletri · Accepted solution]

Nice one. This worked just fine. Thanks you very much indeed.

[dmtauto72]

This is helpful to me also, Thanks

Can I do some math calculations with this Like ColumnA - ColumnB?

I tried but couldn't do it

[dmtauto72]

Thanks for this

I was stuck at this for so many days

Your solution is perfect and simple