Sync Field entries between parent and child Items
Field Syncing allows you to sync Field values between parent and child Items. When activated, modifying a Field on a parent Item will automatically update the corresponding Field on the child Item to the same value. You can also configure the sync to work in the opposite direction or bi-directionally.
Field Syncing helps you automate matching Fields between parent and child Items, saving time while sharing key information.
Use Cases
- Leverage Field Syncing to streamline project management. You can ensure critical data from overarching projects is automatically shared with related tasks, minimizing the need for repetitive clicks and manual updates.
- Set up Items to automatically inherit Date Fields when key milestones are shared across multiple tasks, ensuring consistency.
- Share information from high-level initiatives without providing direct access, keeping information secure while encouraging collaboration.
How does it work?
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Important: Field Syncing must be enabled and configured by KaiNexus staff. Contact your Customer Success Manager to get started.
Your Customer Success Manager will help you design this feature for your specific use case, but here are some tips for how Field Syncing works:
- Field Syncing is available for Text Fields, Number Fields, Date Fields, and Date Time Fields.
- The parent and the child Item must have the same Field on their Template. They can be created from different Templates or the same Template.
- Field Syncing is configured at the Template level, meaning all Items created from the Template will follow the same logic. It can't be enabled on an Item-by-Item basis.
- Field Syncing only occurs on one nesting level, meaning only the immediate parent or child Items are affected.
- There are three configuration options for the direction you want the syncing to occur: Inherit Child, Inherit Parent, and Bidirectional.
Inherit Child
The first configuration option is for Parent Items to inherit the value entered into their child's Field. When you update the Field on a child Item, the Parent Item will automatically update to the same value.
If a Parent Item has multiple children, it will inherit the value of whichever child Field was updated most recently.
After Field Syncing occurs, you can still edit the parent's Field as you wish. However, the next time a child Item's Field is edited, the syncing will run again to update the parent's Field.
Inherit Parent
The second configuration option is for child Items to inherit their parent's Field value. When you edit the Field on the parent, the Field on all child Items will update to the same value.
After Field Syncing occurs, you can still edit the child's Field as you wish. However, the next time the Parent's Field is edited, the syncing will run again to update all applicable child Fields.
Bidirectional
The third configuration option is having the sync occur in both directions. Child Items will inherit the Field value of their parent, and Parent Items will inherit the Field value of their children.
If a Parent Item has multiple children, it will inherit the value of whichever child Field was updated most recently.
Pro Tip: Bidirectional Field Syncing only occurs on one nesting level. Editing a child’s Field updates only the parent’s Field, not any other children nested beneath the same Parent.
Field Syncing while Nesting an Item
When you create a child Item with a Field configured to inherit the value of its parent, field synchronization will occur after the Item is created. You won't see the auto-populated Field on the child's Create Screen, but the inherited value will appear after submission.
This logic also applies to editing an Item's Parent. The child will inherit its parent's Field value after its parent is updated.Warning: If you are using Bidirectional Field Syncing, newly created child Items will not automatically inherit the Field entry of their parent.
When will Fields NOT sync?
- Archived and Complete Items will not be affected by Field Syncing.
- Field updates on Archived and Complete Items will not affect open Items.
- Text Areas do not support Field Syncing.
- Field Syncing will not occur when you update Fields through imports and API.
- Field Syncing only applies to the first 100 child Items.