nav[aria-label="Primary Navigation"] { padding: 0; & ul { list-style: none; width: 100%; display: flex; flex-direction: row; justify-content: start; align-items: start; gap: 30px; padding: 0; & li { margin: 0; } & ul li { list-style: none; } } }

I'm trying to find an automated solution to increase the value of a number on a card

PJRanson

I'm testing an idea.

I want to be able to automatically update a number on a card that is created from a checklist item.

In this case the number in question is an invoice reference number - I've created a sample reference card with my current invoice number "00145" as the card title.

I have a checklist item "Prepare Invoice # (xxxxx)" that when converted to a card, triggers an action that finds the sample reference and applies it to the newly created card.

The idea being that once I've checked off the newly created "prepare invoice #00145" card, then it finds the reference card "invoice #00145" and then renames it to "invoice #00146"

I can figure out the logic for all but the last bit.

Is there an option that allows for incrementing a value on card by n+1?

Accepted answers

Mike - Dreamsuite Consulting

HI @PJRanson

You could use a custom field to help you.

Call your custom field Invoice #.

You use this numeric field to create your invoice number. When this field is completed, it sets the name of the card:

Automation 1

When custom field "Invoice #" is set, set the card name to "{customfieldname}{customfieldvalue}"

Automation 2

When the "Prepare Invoice #{*}" is checked, find the card named "Invoice  #{wildcard1} and increase the number of custom field "Invoice #" by 1

Automation 2 will increment the Invoice # custom field and in turn trigger Automation 1 to update the name

All comments

unknown

Hello @PJRanson

Trello's built-in automation cannot perform mathematical operations, so it can't take a number and increment it by another number or value, as your use case infers.

Mike - Dreamsuite Consulting

Hi @[deleted]

I appreciate your response to this but you are entirely wrong. Trello's automation can indeed perform arithmetical operations. I can also increment/decrement numeric fields.

https://support.atlassian.com/trello/docs/working-with-custom-fields/#Custom-Field-arithmetic

PJRanson

@[deleted]

It cannot in the way I had anticipated, but there is a way I've figured out how to solve my original problem...

Using Custom fields it is possible to define a numeric value and using a trigger to increment it by whatever amount you want.

I'm still experimenting, but...

I have ap template checklist item "create invoice" that when a date is applied in the checklist, creates a new linked card in the list
That new card is then renamed to include the invoice number (taken from the a reference card elsewhere on another board)
This triggers the custom numeric field (on the reference card) to increase by 1
Which then triggers the reference card to be renamed using the new numeric custom field value

So, it's definitely possible. Albeit requiring multiple automations and triggers.

The final trigger to rename the reference card I'm still undecided if it's going to work in practice.

But, as proof of concept (using the stock variables/automations) it can work.

Mike - Dreamsuite Consulting

HI @PJRanson

You could use a custom field to help you.

Call your custom field Invoice #.

You use this numeric field to create your invoice number. When this field is completed, it sets the name of the card:

Automation 1

When custom field "Invoice #" is set, set the card name to "{customfieldname}{customfieldvalue}"

Automation 2

When the "Prepare Invoice #{*}" is checked, find the card named "Invoice  #{wildcard1} and increase the number of custom field "Invoice #" by 1

Automation 2 will increment the Invoice # custom field and in turn trigger Automation 1 to update the name

PJRanson

@Mike - Dreamsuite Consulting

Thanks Mike, that's reassuring to know there are additional arithmetical functions - I'm muddling my way through to a solution.

I love fiddling around with these settings. It's only been a couple of weeks since I did a deep dive into the cascade functions but I'm glad I ventured forth as it's transformed my workflow.

I used to have checklist items that had reminders to change this setting, or apply that label etc... And just sitting back and thinking about how I can use the butler/cascade interface has streamlined a great deal of actions.

Linked checklist items was the gateway - once I'd figured that out the rest has been a real journey of discovery.

PJRanson

Yeah, thanks @Mike - Dreamsuite Consulting That's pretty much what I've setup.

That second trigger doesn't necessarily work with how I actually prep my invoices in practice.

The trello logic works, but that assumes that I actually prep invoices in the same order.

Which is more about my day to day working practices.

It's hard to explain. Multiple lists, multiple clients, multiple invoices being produced, with various jobs overlapping one another - one invoice might be prepped (but incomplete), and another invoice after that one can be prepped and sent.

The whole point was just to keep tabs on the invoicing number (and eventually estimate numbers too) so it tallies with my accounting software - I may jump down the zapier/webhook rabbit hole at some point to link it all up.

I dunno... Maybe

Point being, the trigger for changing the invoice reference number isn't completing the action to prepare it, it's the very action of applying that number to the new card that should increment the custom value by 1.

Like I said, maybe I need to change my working method to fit.

Mike - Dreamsuite Consulting

Hi @PJRanson

Have you considered using the {cardnumber} variable for this?

Each Trello card has a Card number, is it the number based on when it was created. It is unique and should represent an incrementing structure you want. The only exception for this being unique is if you move cards from 1 board to another...

For sure, using an external tool like Zapier will benefit you. My personal choice is Make (make.com)

Both Zapier and Make are excellent tools for more advanced automation, when it comes to Trello, Make definitely opens up greater potential than Zapier, especially if you can get your head around the Trello API.

Top tip, you can use Trello automation to Trigger a webhook. I use this A LOT when I am building solutions for people with Trello.

It sounds like you may be trying to shoehorn a solution into something where it doesn't quite fit and that may result in a lot of wasted hours for an outcome you're not satisfied with (believe me, I've been there more than most)

I would suggest taking a bit of time to really get to grips with what you ultimately want to achieve and why, draw out the steps need to achieve it then work out the best option to deal with how.

PJRanson

Ah... just done it... I added the function to increment the custom value by +1 as part of the rename card action.

Nice!

Welcome!

It looks like you're new here. Sign in or register to get started.

Quick Links

Find more posts tagged with

cloud

trello

automation

trello-cloud