Automation to populate a seperate date column with the start date of a timeline

Platform discussions monday apps & integrations
1

I am struggling to find a monday.com automation or get general caster to work at all. I want to trigger an automation that calculates the start date of a seperate timeline column.
I can get a monday.com formula function to calculate, but it results in a text/formula output only. I need to go one step further and have it automatcially update a date column. (to use for other visuals).

This works in monday.com, but i cant get it to work in caster to move to a date column.

IF(
{Mob Day} = TRUE,
FORMAT_DATE(ADD_DAYS({Work Timeline#Start}, -1), “DD MMM YY”),
“”
)

2

You might need to use make or zapier for that if you want to update in date column.

3

The challenge you’re facing is a common limitation with Monday.com formula columns: they can only display calculated values but cannot directly update or affect other columns, including date columns. Have you tried using “Autoboost” How to use Autoboost
Its brilliant with Formulas , I use it at present to covert a formula to a number column and then use in Automations and other workflows.
You can set the result of a formula column into a native column. Watch the demo
‍
Configure recipes and trigger them on daily basis (Every time period). Watch the demo

Failing to use there app I found some addtional information may be useful - using General Caster (a Monday.com integration app), you should be able to perform this operation. Here’s how you can address the issue:

Steps to Use General Caster for This Automation

  1. Ensure General Caster is Installed and Linked
    First, make sure General Caster is installed on your Monday.com workspace and properly connected to the board you’re working on.
  2. Set Up Your Formula for General Caster
    General Caster requires you to cast the result of a formula into another column. Modify your formula to ensure compatibility with General Caster’s syntax and set the desired output format.For your formula, use this adjusted version in General Caster:

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CopyEdit

FORMAT_DATE(ADD_DAYS({Work Timeline#Start}, -1), "YYYY-MM-DD")
  • Ensure {Work Timeline#Start} is a valid date column recognized by General Caster.
  • Replace "YYYY-MM-DD" with the date format you need (General Caster requires standard date formatting).
  1. Configure the Automation Trigger
    Create a new automation in Monday.com that triggers General Caster. For example:
  • When a column changes: Trigger General Caster when {Mob Day} or {Work Timeline#Start} is updated.
  • Use the “Trigger General Caster” automation recipe available in your workspace.
  1. Set General Caster to Update the Date Column
    In the General Caster configuration:
  • Choose the target column (your date column, e.g., Start Date).
  • Use the formula output (from step 2) to update this column automatically.
  1. Test Your Automation
    Update the {Mob Day} or {Work Timeline#Start} column and ensure General Caster runs correctly. The target date column (Start Date) should now update based on the formula output.

Troubleshooting Tips

  • Column Names: Ensure the column names in the formula match exactly, as General Caster is case-sensitive.
  • Permissions: Confirm you have the necessary permissions to use integrations and update columns.
  • Logs: Check the General Caster logs for errors if the automation doesn’t trigger or update properly.

Did this help? Let me know by hitting like!

4

hi @paulmcmullen

Welcome to the community! the app Start + End = Timeline is designed to keep two date columns (Start and End) in sync with a Timeline. This app is not based on a subscription model and with its low one-time price a good addition to monday.com.