Automation recipe for copying [mirror numbers] subitem column to [regular numbers] subitem column

Platform discussions
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1

Are there any native automations or 3rd-party automation recipes, that can check when a [mirror numbers] column, in a subitem, changes, and then copy that value to a [regular numbers] column of the subitem?

I have tried both the old and the new automation builder, as well as several 3rd-party automation recipes, and they don’t seem to work.

I have the following situation and I’m looking for help.

I have a “Project” board, with “Task” subitems. In another board I have “Agreements”, that have a [status] column, called “Signing Status”, and an auxiliary [numbers] column called “Signing Percentage“ (to be filled automatically via automation, depending on the status column step).

Each Project can have an [connected] agreement, and the Project’s Tasks can have [connected] agreements of their own. In both levels, there could be multiple [connected] agreements per task/project (important for later!). And I want to be able to get a simple status agregate of the signing status of all this system, like this…

  1. no agreement processes is started [i.e. all involved statuses are “Not Started”]

  2. some agreement processes have started [i.e. all in between cases]

  3. all agreement processes are complete [i.e. all involved statuses are “complete”]

Because of the complexity of dealing with [mirror status] columns that can contain multiple elements, I’m thinking of using (and aggragating) [mirror number] columns that show the average value each time. And If i get “0”, then i’m in the 1st case… if I get “1”, then i’m in the 3rd case, and for everything in between, i’m in the "2nd case.

So my thought process is:

signing status [status] column changes (in Agreement board) →

→ signing percentage [numbers] column changes via automation (in Agreement board) →

and then, in the “Projects” board, on the Task Level (if there’s a connected agreement):

→ signing percentage gets passed to the [mirror] column (in Task)→

→ signing percentage gets copied to a local [regular numbers] column, via automation →

→ via automations (that also take into account an “Agreement not necessary“ [check box] column) change the local [status] column of the task

also, in the “Projects” board, on the Project Level:

→ the local [status] or [numbers] task columns get summarised, and this changes a local [status] item column (for the tasks)

→ if there are agreements for the whole project, they follow the same process as with the tasks, and they ultimate change a local [status] item column (for the whole project)

I have thought of the “intermediate/helper” local columns because I haven’t found an automation that works directly from the mirrored columns (especially for the tasks, that have an extra level of mirroring, in order to get the summarised value passed to the project level).

I have tried multiple ways to accomplish that (even using formulas, and checking when they change, by using the new [beta] automation recipe of Formula Pro, that in my case uses a ton of (unnecesary) operations, that hit my monthly limit very quickly)

I’m have tried everything, and curretly I’m at my wits’ end, so I would appreciate any help. Thank you!

2

Hello @SpyrosCE no. Mirror column changes don’t trigger automations, including Mirror Numbers in subitems.

Mirror columns are read only reflections, so their updates aren’t treated as real column changes by automations. That’s why “when mirror changes” recipes don’t fire.

The workaround is to avoid using Mirror columns as triggers. Instead, write the value directly into a regular Numbers column on the connected item or subitem using a sync or integration, then let automations run from that column.

If you can, reduce the number of mirroring levels. Multi level mirroring with subitems quickly hits platform limits and becomes unreliable.

If you’d like hands-on help or want us to walk through this live, you can book a 1:1 paid 60-minute strategy session with our team here:
:backhand_index_pointing_right: Calendly

Dr. Tanvi Sachar
Monday Certified Partner, Tuesday Wizard

3

Hi @SpyrosCE
What you’re trying to achieve is making a mirrored numbers value usable for automations by copying it into a regular numbers column.

The issue is that mirror columns are read-only reflections, and their updates don’t reliably trigger automations.

The most reliable workaround is to push the value from the source board (Agreements) into a real numbers column on the Task or Project, rather than reacting to the mirror. Once the value is stored locally, rollups and status automations will work as expected.

4

It sounds like you’ve built a sophisticated workflow, but you’ve hit the “Mirror Wall” that many advanced monday.com users face. Because mirrored columns are essentially just “windows” into another board, they don’t hold static data that can trigger standard automations.

To solve the “at my wits’ end” feeling, you need to turn that “ghost” data into real, actionable data. Here are the two best ways to handle this without burning through Formula Pro operations.

Solution 1: VLOOKUP (The “Connection” approach)

Instead of relying on the native Mirror column (which is passive), use VLOOKUP for monday.

  • How it works: It creates a link between your Agreements and Tasks using a standard column.

  • The Advantage: It pulls the “Signing Percentage” directly into a Standard Numbers Column on your Task level.

  • Why this fixes your problem: Since the data lands in a standard column, it acts as a native trigger. You can then use a simple native automation: “When Numbers changes, change Status.”

Solution 2: Smart Mirror (The “Casting” approach)

If you want to keep your current setup with the mirrored columns but just need that data to be “readable” by automations, use the Smart Mirror app.

  • How it works: It acts as a bridge. It watches your [Mirror Numbers] column and “casts” (copies) that value into a [Regular Numbers] column automatically.

  • The Advantage: It bypasses the limitation where native automations can’t “see” a mirror change. Once the value is in the regular column, your status-change logic will finally fire.

5

Hi @SpyrosCE ,
It isn’t a perfect solution but you may be able to solve this via AutoBoost.

  1. Create a formula subitem column, with the formula being the content of your mirror column.

  2. Then you can use the Autoboost recipe: Every time period get the calculated value of formula column and set the result to subitem column.

Depends on how up to date you need the data, you could create multiple versions of this automation to run every hour (or more).

That will bring your content into a usable column for the rest of what you need.

Regards,

Adam