Frequently asked questions
Does Smartsheet have a bulk activate or deactivate option for workflows?
No. Smartsheet requires each workflow to be opened and toggled individually. There is no native bulk control for activation state in the workflow list.
Why would I want to deactivate all workflows at once?
Common scenarios include bulk data imports, sheet reorganisation, formula updates, and testing. Deactivating all automations first prevents alert emails and approval requests from firing during the operation.
Is there a difference between 'activate/deactivate' and 'enable/disable' for Smartsheet workflows?
Yes. In Smartsheet, 'active/inactive' controls whether a workflow runs when triggered. 'Enabled/disabled' (at the sheet level) controls whether any automations on the sheet can run at all. Grid Tools provides separate bulk controls for each state.
Does bulk deactivate affect workflows that were already inactive before I ran it?
The bulk deactivate sets all workflows to inactive. Workflows that were already inactive stay inactive. When you bulk activate, all workflows — including previously inactive ones — are set to active, so review the list if you do not want all of them active after the operation.