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Smartsheet Copy Columns to New Grid

Smartsheet does not let you copy a column structure from one sheet to another. When spinning up a new sheet that should match an existing layout, every column must be configured individually — name typed, type selected, dropdown options entered, and width set. For sheets with a dozen or more columns this is consistently the slowest part of sheet setup.

Without Grid Tools

The daily workaround

Configure columns one by one
Each column in the target sheet requires its own Insert Column sequence and type configuration, with no way to batch the operation from a source sheet.
Keep source sheet open for reference
Sheet builders switch back and forth between the source sheet and the new sheet to verify each column's name, type, and settings as they recreate it.
Retype picklist options
Contact list and picklist options are typed or pasted into each new column individually because Smartsheet offers no column duplication across sheets.
Fix formula references after rebuild
Column formulas referencing other columns by name break if any name is mistyped during manual rebuilding, producing errors that are tedious to locate and correct.
Screenshot: Insert Column dialog in Smartsheet
Configuring each column individually through the Insert Column dialog
Screenshot: Retyping dropdown values from the source sheet
Re-entering dropdown values while referencing the source sheet in another tab
Screenshot: Column formula error after manual rebuild
Formula error caused by a column name mismatch during manual copying

With Grid Tools

How Grid Tools handles it

Select and copy column set
Grid Tools lets you select any group of columns from an open sheet and copy their full definitions — name, type, dropdowns, and formulas — in one action.
Paste into any target grid
Switch to the target sheet and paste the copied columns; Grid Tools inserts them with all settings intact, no additional configuration required.
Copy full or partial structure
Copy all columns for a complete structural clone, or select a subset to transfer only the columns that apply to the new sheet.
Formulas transfer intact
Column formulas carry over with correct column references and work immediately in the target sheet without manual edits.
Screenshot: Selecting columns to copy from the source grid
Selecting columns to copy from the source sheet
Screenshot: Grid Tools column copy panel with definitions listed
Grid Tools panel showing the selected column definitions
Screenshot: Copied columns inserted into the target sheet
Copied columns inserted into the target grid with settings intact

Frequently asked questions

Can Smartsheet copy columns from one sheet to another natively?

No. Smartsheet does not support copying column definitions across sheets. Each column in a new sheet must be configured from scratch.

Does Grid Tools copy column formulas along with the column?

Yes. Column formulas are included in the copied definition and apply correctly to the target sheet, provided the referenced column names exist there.

Can I copy columns into a sheet that already has rows?

Yes. Copied columns are added to the target sheet without affecting existing row data.

What is the difference between Copy Columns to New Grid and Column Export Import?

Copy Columns to New Grid is a fast clipboard-style operation for transferring columns directly between two open sheets in the current session. Column Export Import saves a definition file you can archive, share with teammates, or reuse across multiple future sheet builds.

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