I am experiencing a critical and persistent error with one of my automation bots where the system fails to recognize a specific virtual column within a PDF template expression. I have tried all standard troubleshooting steps without success.
Issue Summary:
The bot fails on the “Create PDF” task because it claims the column [Related 訂單表s] cannot be found, despite it being a valid virtual column in the parent table.
Application Details:
App Name/ID: (PII Removed by Staff)
Table Name: (客戶資料)
Column Name in Error:[Related 訂單表s] (Virtual Column)
Automation Bot Name: (PII Removed by Staff)
Task Name:建立PDF
Error Message from Monitor:
Error encountered in step with name [建立PDF]: Error: Task '建立PDF' Body template. Expression 'ORDERBY([Related 訂單表s], [送貨日期], FALSE)' is invalid due to: Can't find column "Related 訂單表s". Error: The document body is empty
Troubleshooting Steps Already Taken (Unsuccessful):
Verified that the virtual column exists and is correctly configured (Data > Columns).
Ensured the template syntax for ORDERBY is correct: <<Start: ORDERBY([Related 訂單表s], [送貨日期], FALSE)>>.
Performed multiple “Saves” in the Editor to force synchronization.
Used the “Regenerate Structure” feature on the primary table in Data > Tables.
Regenerated the template within the Automation Task settings multiple times.
Request:
Given that standard troubleshooting has failed, this appears to be an internal platform synchronization or caching issue that requires backend investigation. I have enabled “Allow AppSheet staff to access my apps” in my account settings for your team to investigate directly.
Your Bot configuration. Is it a Data Change Bot or a Scheduled Bot? If Scheduled, is the “For EAch Row in TAble” setting turned on or off?
An example of your FULL template hierarchy showing where the START/END statement is being used. You do not need to show the exact template but enough for us to see where within the context of the template execution the START/END is implemented. Data Context matters.
Also, be aware that this is a Community Forum so most responders are NOT Google staff. I fyou wish for AppSheet Support to review your issue, you need to submit a support ticket. This is only allowed on PAID accounts and you should find the “Help” option in the upper right hand corner within the ellipsis menu.
I agree with @WillowMobileSys suggestion, I understand you have already verified the naming and regenerated the table structure. To resolve the ‘column not found’ error, I recommend the following troubleshooting steps:
Exact Character Matching: Double-check that the virtual column [Related 訂單表s] in your template matches the AppSheet editor exactly, paying close attention to character spacing.
Regenerate Column Structure: In the editor, navigate to Data > Columns and click Regenerate Structure for the parent table to ensure all virtual columns are properly indexed.
Refresh Template Mapping: Open your Google Doc/Word template, delete the existing <<Start>> expression, and manually re-type <<[Related 訂單表s]>>. This forces the bot to re-establish the link.
Isolate Special Characters: If the error persists, try temporarily renaming the virtual column to use only alphanumeric characters (e.g., [Related Orders]) and update the template. This will confirm if the Chinese characters are the root cause of the recognition failure.
Should these steps not resolve the error, contacting support would be the best course of action.
I had many issues along the years with virtual columns in read only tables, with those DeltaSync or cached table activated.
I usually try to make the table editable, disable the delta sync etc options, then make a manual edit in table (in google sheets), then refresh, then I debug the template first starting with “printing” only that problematic VC, test it, then add another part of formula in the template,retest it etc