Copy a row to another sheet when it’s updated in Google Sheets

What it does

This automation watches a sheet for any change. When a row is updated, it creates a new row in a second sheet using only the columns you map — and you can add computed values like a timestamp or a label. It’s ideal for building an audit log, a clean reporting tab, or a backup of key fields.

How to set it up

1. Install Sheet Automation from the Google Workspace Marketplace and open it from your sheet.
2. Create a destination sheet, e.g. Sheet2, with the columns you want to keep.
3. Pick the “Copy columns of the row when updated” template and map source columns to the destination.
4. Save, then edit a row to test — a new row appears in the destination sheet.

The ready-made template

Copy columns of the row when updated — Trigger: any value is updated → Action: create a row in another sheet with the columns you map (including computed values). Edit it live below:

How to use this template

The builder above is a live preview of this automation. To run it in your own spreadsheet:

1. Click Add to Google Sheets to install Sheet Automation (free).
2. Open it from your sheet: Extensions → Sheet Automation → Open.
3. Open the Templates tab and choose “Copy columns of the row when updated”.
4. Adjust the fields to match your data, then click Save.
5. Trigger it once to confirm the automation runs.

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