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Smartsheet Find Column IDs

Smartsheet does not display column IDs anywhere in its interface. They are required for writing certain cross-sheet formulas, configuring API-based automations, and building integrations — but finding them means making a raw API call, parsing the JSON response, and locating the right ID in a wall of text. This breaks the workflow every time an integrator or power user needs a column ID.

Without Grid Tools

The daily workaround

Make an API call to get IDs
The standard method for finding a column ID is calling the Smartsheet API's GET /sheets/{sheetId}/columns endpoint and reading the JSON response to find the right value.
Parse JSON to locate the ID
API responses include all columns as JSON objects, so finding a specific column's ID means scanning through a multi-line blob to match the column name to its numeric ID.
Copy IDs into formulas by hand
After finding the ID, users copy the raw number and paste it into a formula or integration config, with no validation that it matches the correct column.
Repeat for every new sheet or column
Column IDs are sheet-specific and change when a column is deleted and recreated, so the API lookup process repeats whenever a sheet is modified or a new integration is built.
Screenshot: Smartsheet API documentation for GET columns endpoint
Referencing the API documentation to find the column endpoint
Screenshot: Raw JSON API response with column objects
Scanning a JSON response to locate a specific column ID
Screenshot: Column ID manually pasted into a formula
Copying the column ID number from the JSON and pasting it into a formula

With Grid Tools

How Grid Tools handles it

Column IDs shown in the UI
Grid Tools displays every column's ID directly alongside its name in the Column Details panel — no API call or JSON parsing required.
Search by column name
Type a column name into the search field and Grid Tools filters the list instantly, so you land on the right column ID without scrolling through all columns.
One-click copy to clipboard
Click any column ID to copy it to the clipboard, ready to paste into a formula, API request body, or integration configuration.
Always reflects current sheet state
Column IDs update in real time as the sheet changes, so you always see the current ID without needing to re-run an API call.
Screenshot: Column IDs listed next to column names in Grid Tools panel
Column IDs displayed alongside column names in the Grid Tools panel
Screenshot: Searching for a column by name to locate its ID
Filtering the column list by name to find a specific ID
Screenshot: Clicking to copy a column ID to the clipboard
One-click copy of the column ID to the clipboard

Frequently asked questions

Where can I find column IDs in Smartsheet without the API?

You cannot. Column IDs are not shown anywhere in the native Smartsheet interface. Grid Tools surfaces them directly in the browser so you never need to make an API call just to find a column ID.

Do column IDs ever change?

Yes. A column ID is assigned when the column is created. If a column is deleted and a new column is created in its place, the new column gets a different ID. Grid Tools always shows the current live ID for each column.

Why do I need column IDs?

Column IDs are required for certain cross-sheet reference formulas, Smartsheet API integrations, webhook configurations, and some third-party tools that connect to Smartsheet via the API.

Does this work for all column types?

Yes. Grid Tools shows the ID for every column in the sheet regardless of type — text, date, contact list, dropdown, formula columns, and system columns alike.

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