Hi all,
I'm building a flow coming from an action in Power Virtual Agent that get the data of the customer and display on the chatbot.
The first block is the "Get Row" where I connect to the database, table name and row.
Until that point is fine, so after that I use the "Initialize variable" to store the data and the "Append to string variable".
The latest is not working as the dropdown is blank and I cannot place a name manually. When I click on the arrow down, nothing comes up and I can't fill up the "Name" field.
See screenshot below:
Any help with that would be great.
Also, after that step, how do I get the data from the variable and show it on the chatbot from Power Virtual Agent?
That will also be a great help if someone can do it.
Kind regards,
Fernando
Can you show a screenshot of the Initialize Variable action for the variable you are trying to reference? Also a screenshot showing where it is in the flow in relationship to the append action.
HI @Pstork1 ,
See screenshot below.
The Append to string variable is faulty as I can't write a name manually, but also when pressing the arrow-down, it's all blank.
If you need more info, please let me know.
I know these Microsoft tools are quite new and I'm a newbie, so Microsoft tutorials are not fully helpful.
Any help would be great.
The problem is you initialize the variable as an array but want to append to a string. Either change the initialize to a string variable or use the append to array action. Do you want the variable to be an array or a string when you are done?
Hi @Pstork1 ,
The final data would a string, so I changed to string.
Now, on the "Append string to variable" dropdown, the name of the variable created above is showing up. Is that the name that I need? I don't know as the value is the same of the name.
Quite frustrating.
You pick the name of the variable you want to append to in the dropdown. The value should be whatever value it is that you want to append. Right now you are trying to append an empty string variable to itself, so I doubt that is what you want. I assume what you want is to append some value from the SQL rows that you retrieved.
Hi @Pstork1 ,
I managed to get it right.
Now, when I'm on the chatbot and i want to display a message with the value of the variable, the chat keeps in a loop. I guess that is another subject... 😕 ....frustration....
That's the point the data is not passing through:
No idea why is not passing through.
As a troubleshooting measure, try adding a compose that contains the value you are appending to the string variable right before you append it inside the loop. Then after a run you'll be able to see what the actual value was that was being appended to the string.
Also, your original screenshot shows a Return value to PVA action, but there is no data in it. Make sure you add the variable to that or it won't return anything. When you get back to the bot you can display the returned value in a message.
Hi @Pstork1 ,
I have done it all.
Can't get my head around these blocks.
I could easily do the same process with gulp and an Ajax call to the server, but as I need to connect to PVA, this is my only way to do it and I can't get the value to show on PVA or even the flow to work properly.
Microsoft tutorials are not really helpful and they seemed to think everyone is a developer and knows all the languages, which is why they advertise the PVA for non developers...lol
As soon as I make one value to pass through PVA, I'm happy, so I can make all the data I need to pass through.
This is my latest set up.
I had meant to put the Compose inside the same Apply to Each loop as the Append to String, but your current setup should also work. When you look at a previous run how many loops are the Apply to each making? What values are you seeing in the Compose loop? What does the string being returned to PVA contain? What issue are you having?
I'll be happy to help, but your setup looks like it should work.
Hi @Pstork1 ,
What I'm trying to achieve:
I'm creating a flow from Power Virtual Agent for a Insurance company and when the customer place their policy number I want to retrieve the Policy from the sql database with the following details:
Policy Number
Full name
Phone number
Package (insurance package)
After retrieve the data from the sql server, I want to display on the chat bot.
I know that if I can retrieve one single data, the other ones are gonna be easier.
As I'm new to Power Automate, I'm struggling to pass a single data for now hehe.
So when you look at a previous run of the flow what are you seeing as values in the Compose statements in the Apply to each loop? Is it showing Policy numbers? And are they being appended to the string variable?
Hi there, I managed to make it work initializing the variable before the server request, adding the compose block and the parse jason block before adding to a string variable and returning that variable to PVA.
I works better with HTTP as I'm doing an api call.
Thank you for all your support.
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The Reading Dynamics 365 and Power Platform User Group is a community-driven initiative that started in September 2022. It has quickly earned recognition for its enthusiastic leadership and resilience in the face of challenges. With a focus on promoting learning and networking among professionals in the Dynamics 365 and Power Platform ecosystem, the group has grown steadily and gained a reputation for its commitment to its members! The group, which had its inaugural event in January 2023 at the Microsoft UK Headquarters in Reading, has since organized three successful gatherings, including a recent social lunch. They maintain a regular schedule of four events per year, each attended by an average of 20-25 enthusiastic participants who enjoy engaging talks and, of course, pizza. The Reading User Group's presence is primarily spread through LinkedIn and Meetup, with the support of the wider community. This thriving community is managed by a dedicated team consisting of Fraser Dear, Tim Leung, and Andrew Bibby, who serves as the main point of contact for the UK Dynamics 365 and Power Platform User Groups. Andrew Bibby, an active figure in the Dynamics 365 and Power Platform community, nominated this group due to his admiration for the Reading UK User Group's efforts. He emphasized their remarkable enthusiasm and success in running the group, noting that they navigated challenges such as finding venues with resilience and smiles on their faces. Despite being a relatively new group with 20-30 members, they have managed to achieve high attendance at their meetings. The group's journey began when Fraser Dear moved to the Reading area and realized the absence of a user group catering to professionals in the Dynamics 365 and Power Platform space. He reached out to Andrew, who provided valuable guidance and support, allowing the Reading User Group to officially join the UK Dynamics 365 and Power Platform User Groups community. One of the group's notable achievements was overcoming the challenge of finding a suitable venue. Initially, their "home" was the Microsoft UK HQ in Reading. However, due to office closures, they had to seek a new location with limited time. Fortunately, a connection with Stephanie Stacey from Microsoft led them to Reading College and its Institute of Technology. The college generously offered them event space and support, forging a mutually beneficial partnership where the group promotes the Institute and encourages its members to support the next generation of IT professionals. With the dedication of its leadership team, the Reading Dynamics 365 and Power Platform User Group is poised to continue growing and thriving! Their story exemplifies the power of community-driven initiatives and the positive impact they can have on professional development and networking in the tech industry. As they move forward with their upcoming events and collaborations with Reading College, the group is likely to remain a valuable resource for professionals in the Reading area and beyond.
As the sun sets on the #SummerofSolutions Challenge, it's time to reflect and celebrate! The journey we embarked upon together was not just about providing answers – it was about fostering a sense of community, encouraging collaboration, and unlocking the true potential of the Power Platform tools. From the initial announcement to the final week's push, the Summer of Solutions Challenge has been a whirlwind of engagement and growth. It was a call to action for every member of our Power Platform community, urging them to contribute their expertise, engage in discussions, and elevate collective knowledge across the community as part of the low-code revolution. Reflecting on the Impact As the challenge ends, it's essential to reflect on the impact it’s had across our Power Platform communities: Community Resilience: The challenge demonstrated the resilience of our community. Despite geographical distances and diverse backgrounds, we came together to contribute, learn, and collaborate. This resilience is the cornerstone of our collective strength.Diverse Expertise: The solutions shared during the challenge underscore the incredible expertise within our community. From intricate technical insights to creative problem-solving, our members showcased their diverse skill sets, enhancing our community's depth.Shared Learning: Solutions spurred shared learning. They provided opportunities for members to grasp new concepts, expand their horizons, and uncover the Power Platform tools' untapped potential. This learning ripple effect will continue to shape our growth. Empowerment: Solutions empowered community members. They validated their knowledge, boosted their confidence, and highlighted their contributions. Each solution shared was a step towards personal and communal empowerment. We are proud and thankful as we conclude the Summer of Solutions Challenge. The challenge showed the potential of teamwork, the benefit of knowledge-sharing, and the resilience of our Power Platform community. The solutions offered by each member are more than just answers; they are the expression of our shared commitment to innovation, growth, and progress! Drum roll, Please... And now, without further ado, it's time to announce the winners who have risen above the rest in the Summer of Solutions Challenge! These are the top community users and Super Users who have not only earned recognition but have become beacons of inspiration for us all. Power Apps Community: Community User Winner: @SpongYe Super User Winner: Pending Acceptance Power Automate Community: Community User Winner: @trice602 Super User Winner: @Expiscornovus Power Virtual Agents Community: Community User Winner: Pending AcceptanceSuper User: Pending Acceptance Power Pages Community: Community User Winner: @OOlashyn Super User Winner: @ChristianAbata We are also pleased to announced two additional tickets that we are awarding to the Overall Top Solution providers in the following communities: Power Apps: @LaurensM Power Automate: @ManishSolanki Thank you for making this challenge a resounding success. Your participation has reaffirmed the strength of our community and the boundless potential that lies within each of us. Let's keep the spirit of collaboration alive as we continue on this incredible journey in Power Platform together.Winners, we will see you in Vegas! Every other amazing solutions superstar, we will see you in the Community!Congratulations, everyone!
Ayonija Shatakshi, a seasoned senior consultant at Improving, Ohio, is a passionate advocate for M365, SharePoint, Power Platform, and Azure, recognizing how they synergize to deliver top-notch solutions. Recently, we asked Ayonija to share her journey as a user group leader, shedding light on her motivations and the benefits she's reaped from her community involvement. Ayonija embarked on her role as a user group leader in December 2022, driven by a desire to explore how the community leveraged various Power Platform components. When she couldn't find a suitable local group, she decided to create one herself! Speaking about the impact of the community on her professional and personal growth, Ayonija says, "It's fascinating to witness how everyone navigates the world of Power Platform, dealing with license constraints and keeping up with new features. There's so much to learn from their experiences.: Her favorite aspect of being a user group leader is the opportunity to network and engage in face-to-face discussions with fellow enthusiasts, fostering deeper connections within the community. Offering advice to budding user group leaders, Ayonija emphasized the importance of communication and consistency, two pillars that sustain any successful community initiative. When asked why she encourages others to become user group leaders, Ayonija said, "Being part of a user group is one of the best ways to connect with experienced professionals in the same field and glean knowledge from them. If there isn't a local group, consider starting one; you'll soon find like-minded individuals." Her highlight from the past year as a user group leader was witnessing consistent growth within the group, a testament to the thriving community she has nurtured. Advocating for user group participation, Ayonija stated, "It's the fastest route to learning from the community, gaining insights, and staying updated on industry trends." Check out her group: Cleveland Power Platform User Group
Hear from Corporate Vice President for Microsoft Business Applications & Platform, Charles Lamanna, as he looks ahead to the second annual Microsoft Power Platform Conference from October 3rd-5th 2023 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.Have you got your tickets yet? Register today at www.powerplatformconf.com
We wanted to take the time to celebrate and welcome the new user groups that have joined our community. Along with that take a look at the event that might be happening near you or virtually. Please welcome: Biz Apps Community User Group - Power Platform Community (microsoft.com) This user group is dedicated for all community members of all skill levels to learn how to get the most out of their community experience. East Michigan Power Platform User Group - Power Platform Community (microsoft.com) This is hopefully the beginning of a community, covering eastern Michigan, built around the Power Platform. Biz Apps Community User Group This user group is dedicated for all community members of all skill levels to learn how to get the most out of their community experience. Events to checkout: In-Person: September 2023 Hybrid Philadelphia Dynamics 365 & Power Platform User Group MeetDynamics 365 and Power Platform Physical Meetup Hyderabad Power Platform User Group Meetup - Sept 2023 (In-Person)Manchester September 2023 In Person Meeting Virtual: Everything Dataverse, Do you know that Dataverse is more than just a Database!POWER PLATFORM MONTHLY DIGEST- SEPTEMBERBaltic Summit 2023PL-900 Power Platform Fundamentals TrainingHR and L&D transformation through Power PlatformDynamics 365 Marketing Experience User Groups - Use Cases and NetworkingPower Platform and Dual Write from Dynamics 365 F&O PerspectiveANZ D365 FinOps Team September 2023 meetup
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