How can I automatically set "last updated" cell in row Google Docs Spreadsheets?

Question

How can I automatically set "last updated" cell in row Google Docs Spreadsheets ?

I want to create a column where the cells' value will be automatically set to when that row was last amended. Is this possible? How do I do this / what option do I use to set this?

I see a workaround for MS Excel but I think Google Docs should have something similar, right? (fingers crossed)

We have multiple people editing a large sheet. We can see revision history, but it would be nicer if we had a column of "last updated" dates as well.

Answer 1

You can try adding a Google Apps Script to capture when a cell is edited and add a timestamp to a different cell. Here's a previous answer that is similar: Google Spreadsheet Timestamp?

function onEdit() {
 var s = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSheet();
 if( s.getName() == "Sheet1" ) { //checks that we're on the correct sheet
   var r = s.getActiveCell();
   if( r.getColumn() == 13 ) { //checks the column
     var nextCell = r.offset(0, 1);
     if( nextCell.getValue() === '' ) //is empty?
       var time = new Date();
       time = Utilities.formatDate(time, "GMT", "HH:mm:ss");
       nextCell.setValue(time);
   };
 };
}

Answer 2

=iferror(A1+B1+C1+D1+J1+K1+L1+"x",today()) whenever the cells in the row changes the formula re-calculates. with the "x" in the equation it guarantees an error. which in return, returns the date.

Answer 3

Here's a version that finds the column using the header, rather than hardcoding the column number, and uses a custom time zone:

function updateModified(options) {
  var sheet = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSheet();
  if (options.sheetName && sheet.getName() != options.sheetName) {
    return;
  }

  var modifiedColumnName = options.modifiedColumnName || 'Modified';
  var header = sheet.getDataRange().offset(0, 0, 1).getValues()[0];
  var modifiedColumn;
  for (var i=0; i < header.length; i++) {
    if (header[i].trim() == modifiedColumnName) {
      modifiedColumn = i + 1;
      break;
    }
  }
  if (typeof modifiedColumn != 'number') {
    throw new Error("Can't find column with name: " + modifiedColumnName);
  }

  var activeCell = sheet.getActiveCell();
  if (activeCell.getColumn() == modifiedColumn) {
    return;
  }

  var modifiedCell = sheet.getRange(activeCell.getRow(), modifiedColumn);
  var formattedDate = Utilities.formatDate(new Date(), "America/Los_Angeles", "M/dd/yy HH:mm");
  modifiedCell.setValue(formattedDate);
}

function onEdit() {
  updateModified({sheetName: 'Jobs'});
}

To use UTC, just change the time zone to UTC.

Answer 4

This is my script, put in the last column this information:

1. Insert into the Cell (in the last cell = lastcolumn for the row that you modify) - Date in GMT -3, if you want to put the same in other TZ just modify the -3 for you concurrent timezone. If you want to put the date automatically in your default TZ, just modify this:

   var date = Utilities.formatDate(new Date(), "GMT-3", "dd/MM/yyyy HH:mm");
   to
   var date = Utilities.formatDate(new Date());
   

2. Insert a Comment with the Cell+User who modify it.

3. Appear a popup when you update something. Only appear to the ActiveUser.

   function onEdit(event)
   {
       var ss = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet();
       var actSht = event.source.getActiveSheet();
       var actRng = event.source.getActiveRange();
   
       var index = actRng.getRowIndex();
       var dateCol = actSht.getLastColumn();
       var lastCell = actSht.getRange(index,dateCol);
       var date = Utilities.formatDate(new Date(), "GMT-3", "dd/MM/yyyy HH:mm");
   
       lastCell.setValue(date);
       lastCell.setComment("Ultima Modificacion: " + actRng.getA1Notation() +' por '+Session.getActiveUser());
       ss.toast('Ultima Modificacion = '+ actRng.getA1Notation()+' por '+Session.getActiveUser());
   }
   

Answer 5

I've created a function that write a new Date when the referenced cell is modified. In this case the cell value is TRUE or FALSE but you can edit it to any value.

function WhenUpdated(cell1) {
  if(cell1){
    return new Date();
  }
  else return null;
}

Answer 6

Simply type "Last updated:" in one cell and type "=now()" in the cell next to it! That should do the job!