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Setting up a formula to input in Zoho Sheets when a new row is added to the sheet

  • Oct 29, 2025 9:11 PM UTC
  • 12 replies
  • 158 views

I am trying to set up a formula to add to a column in zoho sheets when a new row is added to the zoho sheet. The formula I am using works when I manually enter into zoho sheets but not when I am setting up the zap in zapier. Keeps telling me that there is a syntax error. Here is the formula: 

=IF(5-(TODAY()-E[[row_number]])>0;5-(TODAY()-E[[row_number]])&" day(s)";"Past Due")

I have adjusted the row number to show the row index option under transform > formulas. 

Does anyone know what I am doing wrong here? 

 

Locale settings in zoho sheets: 

Decimal separator Dot (.) 

Grouping separator Comma (,) 

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12 replies

  • Author
  • New
  • Oct 29, 2025 9:13 PM UTC

Locale settings in zoho sheets: 

Decimal separator Dot (.) 

Grouping separator Comma (,) 


Troy Tessalone
Zapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
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  • Zapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
  • Oct 29, 2025 9:54 PM UTC

Hi ​@Kaitlyn T 

For us to have more context, post screenshots showing how your Zap step is configured in the CONFIGURE tab while in EDIT mode with the field mappings visible so we can see the field types.

 

TIP: Click field labels to see tooltips with more info.


  • Author
  • New
  • Oct 29, 2025 10:04 PM UTC

Hi ​@Troy Tessalone Here is the zap, let me know if you need more information. 

 


Troy Tessalone
Zapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
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  • Zapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
  • Oct 29, 2025 10:07 PM UTC

​@Kaitlyn T 

If you are trying to use a Formula in a Formatter step, you would need to map variables from previous Zap steps.

Help link for how to map variables between Zap steps: https://help.zapier.com/hc/en-us/articles/8496343026701-Send-data-between-steps-by-mapping-fields


Troy Tessalone
Zapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
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  • Zapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
  • Oct 29, 2025 10:09 PM UTC

​@Kaitlyn T 

Also, a Formatter step can not be the last step in a Zap.

 

How are you trying to configure the Zap action step to set the formula in Zoho Sheets?


  • Author
  • New
  • Oct 29, 2025 10:10 PM UTC

Okay, I will look into mapping the variables. Yes, the last step will be to update a row, but I have not been able to get to that step since the formula is not working. 

Thank you! 


Sparsh from Automation Jinn
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Hey ​@Kaitlyn T,

Also Today() as a function will not be directly supported in this action if you see the supported functions here- https://help.zapier.com/hc/en-us/articles/8496181204877-Available-spreadsheet-style-formulas. For exponent you have to use EXP(number, power). Hope it helps!


  • Author
  • New
  • Oct 30, 2025 4:03 PM UTC

Hi ​@Sparsh from Automation Jinn We are trying to use “today’s date” when using TODAY() not an exponent. Does that change things? 


  • Author
  • New
  • Oct 30, 2025 4:06 PM UTC

Hi ​@Troy Tessalone Our process that we are trying to get to work is when a new row is updated in zoho sheets column A-E will trigger the formula to be added into column F, pulling the date from column E to start a countdown timer. When we add the formula into zoho sheets manually there are no issues. Only when the formula is added in zapier. 

 

 


Sparsh from Automation Jinn
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Hey ​@Kaitlyn T,

Then instead of E[row_number] you can just dynamically map that row. I don’t think TODAY() is directly supported. Formulas function in Zapier will be different than the one in the sheets. You will have to change the logic to approach this Zap.

For today’s date try using Formatter by Zapier → Date/Time → Format and then giving {{zap_meta_human_now}} to get the current date. Hope it helps!


Troy Tessalone
Zapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
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  • Zapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
  • Oct 30, 2025 4:16 PM UTC

​@Kaitlyn T 

For us to have more context, post screenshots showing the how you are trying to configure the Zoho Sheets Zap action step that way we can see the field types.

Click the field label for the column to see if there is a tooltip with more info. (post screenshot)

If supported, if you are trying to insert a formula into a Zoho Sheets row column, then that column would need to support formulas.

Seems like all you would have to do is replace “E#” with the # of the row that triggered the Zap step.

 

 


SamB
Community Manager
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  • Community Manager
  • Nov 12, 2025 5:00 PM UTC

Hi there ​@Kaitlyn T 👋 How did you get on with those suggestions from Sparsh and Troy? Did either of those approaches do the trick?

Let us know whether you still need help, or were able to get this solved. 🙂