automate list color / collapse
Asked by outfinder:

Hi,

I really like the new feature of being able to fold / collapse Trello lists and to add different colors to them.

Unfortunately I haven't found a way to automate this with rules.

Is there a way to create a button or rule so I can automatically change the color, as well as fold/open lists?

Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

Kr, outfinder


Answers:
author: Dreamsuite Mike
body: Hi [@outfinder](/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/5460686) [@Rembrandt Happel](/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/5466260) ,

I had prepared an advanced automation guide to do this using the Trello API.

However, Trello have made it a whole lot easier. This is now built into Trello automation...

![card repeater.gif](https://community.atlassian.com/t5/image/serverpage/image-id/316798i12389E26E9C38E11/image-size/large?v=v2&px=999 "card repeater.gif")

comments: author: Rembrandt Happel
body: Wow, thanks Mike, overlooked that while searching. I might anyway be interested in your api guide, however, should you have it available. Because now I am searching to change the list colour based on the status of a card on another board.

Do you perhaps also have trick how to move a list to the right hand side of the board, after it's created, standard on the left?


author: Dreamsuite Mike
body: For an introduction to using the Trello API with Trello automation for more advanced capabilities, you can check out this article:

<https://community.atlassian.com/t5/Trello-articles/Mikes-Trello-Tips-Next-Level-Automations-Sync-Due-Date-of-linked/ba-p/2553793>

I will be breaking this down over the next couple of weeks to hopefully make it simpler to follow.

Regarding what you want to do. You *should* be able to change the list colour based on a card on another board, so long as the card is linked to a card in the list that you want to change. Something like:

```
When a card is marked as complete, find the first card linked in attachments and set the list color to Green
```

I'm not sure I understand what you mean about list being created on the left??


author: Rembrandt Happel
body: Thanks, will try.

With regard to moving the list: I create lists with Zapier. In Zapier, I can set only the board and the name of the new list, not the position. All new lists appear on the left hand side on the board.

I was hoping there is a possibility to move a list to the right hand side of the board, as soon as it is created.


author: outfinder
body: Superthanks for the feedback!


author: Dreamsuite Mike
body: Yes, you can do this but Zapier doesn't make it easy...  
Zapier is probably the best in terms of app connections and simplicity but it limits this kind of thing. HTTP requests are part of their Webhooks module, which is only available if you have paid subscription

I would recommend [Make](https://www.make.com/en/register?pc=makedreamautomations), it is my go-to for automation, it is more complex to get your head around compared to make but it is possible to more complex things, just like this (even on the free version)

Lists has an attribute for list position that can be set to top (left) or bottom (right)

{"pos" : "top"}

{"pos" : "bottom"}

This API url would set the list at the end...

**[https://api.trello.com/1/lists?name={name}\&idBoard=5abbe4b7ddc1b351ef961414\&pos=bottom\&key=APIKey\&token=APIToken](https://api.trello.com/1/lists?name={name}&idBoard=5abbe4b7ddc1b351ef961414&pos=bottom&key=APIKey&token=APIToken)**

However, you can create lists using automation in Trello. Can you explain what your Zapier automation is and I'm sure I can *probably* help you to set the automation to move the list using Trello automation


author: Rembrandt Happel
body: Thanks for the Make tip. I have a tonne of zaps in Zapier though, changing will be a lot of work.

Zapier doesn't support that List position, unfortunately. Only parameter is List Name.

My automation is as follows: I push a board button on Board 1. That sends a payload to a web hook in Zapier, that has a new row made in a spreadsheet. The Row number from that spreadsheet is then used for a list on Board 2. Which appears on the left and not on the right, where I want it.

I can not use the "Make List" function from Trello Automation, because at that point I don't know the List Name yet.

However, I had a Quick Look at your API guide, I think that will help me. Zapier can send a payload to Trello with the List Name and Position and the Trello API can then make the list.

Thanks a lot!


author: Dreamsuite Mike
body: Collapsing lists happens as a browser action so no but you can automate the list colour with an automation http set...

I will write a guide for this tomorrow and link to it

comments: author: outfinder
body: Wow, superthanks Mike!

Looking forward to it.   


author: Rembrandt Happel
body: Curious to know too.


author: outfinder
body: I understand now that collapsing lists is browser specific; I see it is only possible with one of the browsers I use (Firefox) .

Does this mean that there is no way to automate this at all? Or just not native to Trello.


Tags: automation

button

colour

expand

list

rule