Automating a list of tasks with custom fields

[Danielle Woods]

I've searched help documentation and the forums and haven't found an answer yet so I figure I'll start a new question thread.  I'm looking for a way to automate the following scenario:

• I have a list of tasks (cards) that have a custom field of Client. There may be like 20 or 30 cards. Not sure if it matters but in this list there will be some dependencies between tasks. 
• Whenever I work with a new client I want to be able to
  • copy this list of 20 or 30 cards for the new client
  • change the custom field to the new client's name for all the new cards 

 I'm thinking I would use an automation button to do this but couldn't figure out how to do this.  I have figure out the automation button to copy all the cards and put on another list but the real key to efficiency for me is to be able to globally change the custom field in this automation.  

[Markus Fredén · Accepted solution]

Hi @Danielle Woods ,

In Trello, you can automate the process of copying a list of cards and changing the custom field values using Butler for Trello. Butler is a powerful automation tool that integrates with Trello and allows you to create custom rules and commands.

To achieve your desired scenario, you can follow these steps:

1. Install the Butler for Trello Power-Up if you haven't already. You can find it in the Power-Ups section of your Trello board.
2. Open the board containing the list of tasks (cards) you want to copy.
3. Create a new list where you want to copy the cards for the new client. Let's call it "New List."
4. Create a custom field for the client's name if you haven't already. You can do this by clicking on the board's title, selecting "Custom Fields," and adding a new field for the client's name.
5. Open the Butler automation menu by clicking the "Butler" button on the right sidebar.
6. Click on "Create new rule" to start creating a new automation rule.
7. In the rule creation menu, select the trigger "A card is added to list... (bottom of the source list)."
8. Choose the list containing your original tasks as the source list.
9. Click on "Add Action" and select "Copy the card to the top of a list."
10. Choose the "New List" as the destination list.
11. Click on "Add Action" again and select "Set custom field Client to... {triggercardfieldclient}."
12. Save the rule and give it a meaningful name.
13. Now, when you add a new card to the original list, it will automatically copy the card to the "New List" and set the client's name in the custom field.

To use this automation for a new client:

1. Create a new card in the original list, specifying the name of the new client in the custom field.
2. Butler will trigger the automation and copy the card to the "New List" with the updated custom field value.

By following these steps, you can automate the process of copying the list of tasks for each new client and update the custom field value accordingly.

/Markus

[Danielle Woods]

Thank you - going to add Butler now and check it out!  This is very helpful.  Thanks for taking the time to list out all the steps!

[Danielle Woods]

I can't even find Butler in the powe

I now see that Butler is no longer supported:

https://support.atlassian.com/trello/docs/importing-removing-butler-bot-commands-for-legacy-accounts/

[Markus Fredén]

Hi @Danielle Woods ,

You can find info on Butler here:

https://trello.com/butler-automation

/Markus

[Mike - Dreamsuite Consulting]

Hi @Danielle Woods 

I will try to help you answer the questions you have asked...

Butler is now called Trello Automation:

Here you can find the help:

https://trello.com/guide/automate-anything 

https://support.atlassian.com/trello/docs/butler/ 

Do you have a parent card for the client?  

[Danielle Woods]

no but I can create one

[Danielle Woods]

Ok, so  I have a list, with a parent card. I made all the other tasks child to that parent card. I have create an automation button that copies all the tasks to a new board.  The only missing element is changing the custom field to the client's name. From what I'm reading it doesn't seem that Trello supports input from user in automation (I was hoping that when i click the button to automate it would prompt me to add the client name and then assign to all the cards).  

[Mike - Dreamsuite Consulting]

You can create that functionality with a button:

Make sure the parent card is the clients name

Make sure that for the child cards, the parent is linked is the only linked attachment

Use this button rule:

Lookup the first card linked in attachments and set the custom field "Clients Name" to {triggercardname}

[Danielle Woods]

oh this sounds awesome.  I will try this!  Thanks!