cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
Reply
TajDomingo
Frequent Visitor

Approval with link to attachments from SharePoint List

Hi there, am trying to build an automated Approval triggered from a SharePoint list which contains attachments.  I'm struggling trying get the links to the attachments included with the approval.  I have searched and see there's an upcoming release (or workaround) for attaching the actual attachments, however I am just trying to link directly to them.

 

Have tried a string and getting the DisplayName and AbsoluteUri dynamic content, but they come through as text.  Using the markdown formatting of [Link Text](Link URL) in the string variable doesn't seem to help.

 

Even if I just have the AbsoluteUri  in the string variable, it comes through the approval as text (not a clickable link).

 

Send email using the variable works (as does sending email with option), but not the approval workflow.

 

Please help, I didn't think this would be so hard?

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION

Accepted Solutions

@Jay-Encodian , I managed to do some googling and managed to have some succuess. 

 

I changed the expression to: join(split(item()?['AbsoluteUri'],' '),'%20')

 

new method 4.jpg

 

Everything seems to be working now.  😎

 

 

View solution in original post

12 REPLIES 12
Jay-Encodian
Community Champion
Community Champion

Hey @TajDomingo 

Are you trying to link directly to a file attached to a SharePoint list item?

This post may be of interest: https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Building-Flows/How-can-i-add-a-hyperlink-in-the-Approval-email-L...

HTH

Jay

 

 

Hey @Jay-Encodian, I can do it via in Power Automate into an email, but not in an Approval....

See attachments.

link attachments to email1.jpglink attachments to email2.jpgResulting Email with clickable linksResulting Email with clickable links

 

The thread you linked to shows you can do what I'm doing but in an email with options, not an approval. 

 

Hey @TajDomingo 

Ok, I just did some testing on this... this doesn't work:

2.png

 It will generate something like:

3.png

The issue is caused because the URL is not encoded... this will work:

4.png

The expression is: encodeUriComponent(item()?['AbsoluteUri'])

5.pngHTH

Jay

Thanks @Jay-Encodian  - do you get clickable links?  It doesn't work for me:

new method 1.jpg

 

approval areaapproval area

 

emailemail

 

The test link to google works fine. But the ones to the sharepoint items do not work.

@Jay-Encodian , I managed to do some googling and managed to have some succuess. 

 

I changed the expression to: join(split(item()?['AbsoluteUri'],' '),'%20')

 

new method 4.jpg

 

Everything seems to be working now.  😎

 

 

@TajDomingo 

No I can't... I've tried about 30 different way so far and I can't seem to stop the dynamic variable being written into the email as a single ordered list item in the email HTML... which is what is breaking the links.

Tables, line breaks and all the documented methods don't seem to work... I'll take a look in the morning

Cheers J

Sigh, so doing some more testing and Outlook (desktop) breaks this functionality, where Outlook Web seems to work?

It might be a specific scenario (of file name?) but I'm pulling my hair out with this.

 

Web outlook does this:

web outlook renderweb outlook render

 

While Outlook 2016 does this:

desktop outlook renderdesktop outlook render

 

I'm guessing its because there's '(' ')' in the filename?  Have you any other suggestions? 

@TajDomingo 

I've been testing by the client ... i did wonder why only partially encoding the URL worked as opposed to the full URL.

If you have the email as a HTML file you'll be able to see the issue... the full content of the variable is written is a single list item <ul>.

I have an idea... albeit it might not be very elegant!... back shortly

HTH

Jay

@TajDomingo 

Some progress... albeit there is a slight issue I need to try and fix:

1.png

The if expression:  if(empty(string(variables('Links')[4])),null,string(variables('Links')[4]))

The idea... (albeit not elegant), is to add each string to the details section independently, which works, however it would require you to have a consistent number of attachments.

To mitigate this; the if expression should check for a null value and only add a value if on exists... whilst the if statement works, Flow still blocks the reference to the array item when it doesn't exist... which is annoying as the expression handles it.

I'll try to fix later today

Cheers J

Thanks @Jay-Encodian - the number of attachments is not a constant - sometimes there might not be any at all. It might be easier to enfoce removing  ( )'s from the file names than figuiring out a work around?

 

Would it be any different using a HTML Table?

@TajDomingo 

The issue isn't just the URL's... even when they are correct they are not clickable as writing in multiple files from a single variable adds them as a single ordered list item in the HTML.... so even if they look correct they aren't clickable.

The last post solved that and the if expression should have taken care of not knowing how many files there were but Flow is enforcing a null reference check to a non-existent array item even though its handled.

Sorry, been v busy today... will look again tomorrow.

A HTML table is worth a go

@TajDomingo where do you close for join?

Helpful resources

Announcements

Exclusive LIVE Community Event: Power Apps Copilot Coffee Chat with Copilot Studio Product Team

It's time for the SECOND Power Apps Copilot Coffee Chat featuring the Copilot Studio product team, which will be held LIVE on April 3, 2024 at 9:30 AM Pacific Daylight Time (PDT).     This is an incredible opportunity to connect with members of the Copilot Studio product team and ask them anything about Copilot Studio. We'll share our special guests with you shortly--but we want to encourage to mark your calendars now because you will not want to miss the conversation.   This live event will give you the unique opportunity to learn more about Copilot Studio plans, where we’ll focus, and get insight into upcoming features. We’re looking forward to hearing from the community, so bring your questions!   TO GET ACCESS TO THIS EXCLUSIVE AMA: Kudo this post to reserve your spot! Reserve your spot now by kudoing this post.  Reservations will be prioritized on when your kudo for the post comes through, so don't wait! Click that "kudo button" today.   Invitations will be sent on April 2nd.Users posting Kudos after April 2nd at 9AM PDT may not receive an invitation but will be able to view the session online after conclusion of the event. Give your "kudo" today and mark your calendars for April 3, 2024 at 9:30 AM PDT and join us for an engaging and informative session!

Tuesday Tip: Unlocking Community Achievements and Earning Badges

TUESDAY TIPS are our way of communicating helpful things we've learned or shared that have helped members of the Community. Whether you're just getting started or you're a seasoned pro, Tuesday Tips will help you know where to go, what to look for, and navigate your way through the ever-growing--and ever-changing--world of the Power Platform Community! We cover basics about the Community, provide a few "insider tips" to make your experience even better, and share best practices gleaned from our most active community members and Super Users.   With so many new Community members joining us each week, we'll also review a few of our "best practices" so you know just "how" the Community works, so make sure to watch the News & Announcements each week for the latest and greatest Tuesday Tips!     THIS WEEK'S TIP: Unlocking Achievements and Earning BadgesAcross the Communities, you'll see badges on users profile that recognize and reward their engagement and contributions. These badges each signify a different achievement--and all of those achievements are available to any Community member! If you're a seasoned pro or just getting started, you too can earn badges for the great work you do. Check out some details on Community badges below--and find out more in the detailed link at the end of the article!       A Diverse Range of Badges to Collect The badges you can earn in the Community cover a wide array of activities, including: Kudos Received: Acknowledges the number of times a user’s post has been appreciated with a “Kudo.”Kudos Given: Highlights the user’s generosity in recognizing others’ contributions.Topics Created: Tracks the number of discussions initiated by a user.Solutions Provided: Celebrates the instances where a user’s response is marked as the correct solution.Reply: Counts the number of times a user has engaged with community discussions.Blog Contributor: Honors those who contribute valuable content and are invited to write for the community blog.       A Community Evolving Together Badges are not only a great way to recognize outstanding contributions of our amazing Community members--they are also a way to continue fostering a collaborative and supportive environment. As you continue to share your knowledge and assist each other these badges serve as a visual representation of your valuable contributions.   Find out more about badges in these Community Support pages in each Community: All About Community Badges - Power Apps CommunityAll About Community Badges - Power Automate CommunityAll About Community Badges - Copilot Studio CommunityAll About Community Badges - Power Pages Community

Tuesday Tips: Powering Up Your Community Profile

TUESDAY TIPS are our way of communicating helpful things we've learned or shared that have helped members of the Community. Whether you're just getting started or you're a seasoned pro, Tuesday Tips will help you know where to go, what to look for, and navigate your way through the ever-growing--and ever-changing--world of the Power Platform Community! We cover basics about the Community, provide a few "insider tips" to make your experience even better, and share best practices gleaned from our most active community members and Super Users.   With so many new Community members joining us each week, we'll also review a few of our "best practices" so you know just "how" the Community works, so make sure to watch the News & Announcements each week for the latest and greatest Tuesday Tips!   This Week's Tip: Power Up Your Profile!  🚀 It's where every Community member gets their start, and it's essential that you keep it updated! Your Community User Profile is how you're able to get messages, post solutions, ask questions--and as you rank up, it's where your badges will appear and how you'll be known when you start blogging in the Community Blog. Your Community User Profile is how the Community knows you--so it's essential that it works the way you need it to! From changing your username to updating contact information, this Knowledge Base Article is your best resource for powering up your profile.     Password Puzzles? No Problem! Find out how to sync your Azure AD password with your community account, ensuring a seamless sign-in. No separate passwords to remember! Job Jumps & Email Swaps Changed jobs? Got a new email? Fear not! You'll find out how to link your shiny new email to your existing community account, keeping your contributions and connections intact. Username Uncertainties Unraveled Picking the perfect username is crucial--and sometimes the original choice you signed up with doesn't fit as well as you may have thought. There's a quick way to request an update here--but remember, your username is your community identity, so choose wisely. "Need Admin Approval" Warning Window? If you see this error message while using the community, don't worry. A simple process will help you get where you need to go. If you still need assistance, find out how to contact your Community Support team. Whatever you're looking for, when it comes to your profile, the Community Account Support Knowledge Base article is your treasure trove of tips as you navigate the nuances of your Community Profile. It’s the ultimate resource for keeping your digital identity in tip-top shape while engaging with the Power Platform Community. So, dive in and power up your profile today!  💪🚀   Community Account Support | Power Apps Community Account Support | Power AutomateCommunity Account Support | Copilot Studio  Community Account Support | Power Pages

Super User of the Month | Chris Piasecki

In our 2nd installment of this new ongoing feature in the Community, we're thrilled to announce that Chris Piasecki is our Super User of the Month for March 2024. If you've been in the Community for a while, we're sure you've seen a comment or marked one of Chris' helpful tips as a solution--he's been a Super User for SEVEN consecutive seasons!   Since authoring his first reply in April 2020 to his most recent achievement organizing the Canadian Power Platform Summit this month, Chris has helped countless Community members with his insights and expertise. In addition to being a Super User, Chris is also a User Group leader, Microsoft MVP, and a featured speaker at the Microsoft Power Platform Conference. His contributions to the new SUIT program, along with his joyous personality and willingness to jump in and help so many members has made Chris a fixture in the Power Platform Community.   When Chris isn't authoring solutions or organizing events, he's actively leading Piasecki Consulting, specializing in solution architecture, integration, DevOps, and more--helping clients discover how to strategize and implement Microsoft's technology platforms. We are grateful for Chris' insightful help in the Community and look forward to even more amazing milestones as he continues to assist so many with his great tips, solutions--always with a smile and a great sense of humor.You can find Chris in the Community and on LinkedIn. Thanks for being such a SUPER user, Chris! 💪 🌠  

Tuesday Tips: Community Ranks and YOU

TUESDAY TIPS are our way of communicating helpful things we've learned or shared that have helped members of the Community. Whether you're just getting started or you're a seasoned pro, Tuesday Tips will help you know where to go, what to look for, and navigate your way through the ever-growing--and ever-changing--world of the Power Platform Community! We cover basics about the Community, provide a few "insider tips" to make your experience even better, and share best practices gleaned from our most active community members and Super Users.   With so many new Community members joining us each week, we'll also review a few of our "best practices" so you know just "how" the Community works, so make sure to watch the News & Announcements each week for the latest and greatest Tuesday Tips!This Week: Community Ranks--Moving from "Member" to "Community Champion"   Have you ever wondered how your fellow community members ascend the ranks within our community? What sets apart an Advocate from a Helper, or a Solution Sage from a Community Champion? In today’s #TuesdayTip, we’re unveiling the secrets and sharing tips to help YOU elevate your ranking—and why it matters to our vibrant communities. Community ranks serve as a window into a member’s role and activity. They celebrate your accomplishments and reveal whether someone has been actively contributing and assisting others. For instance, a Super User is someone who has been exceptionally helpful and engaged. Some ranks even come with special permissions, especially those related to community management. As you actively participate—whether by creating new topics, providing solutions, or earning kudos—your rank can climb. Each time you achieve a new rank, you’ll receive an email notification. Look out for the icon and rank name displayed next to your username—it’s a badge of honor! Fun fact: Your Community Engagement Team keeps an eye on these ranks, recognizing the most passionate and active community members. So shine brightly with valuable content, and you might just earn well-deserved recognition! Where can you see someone’s rank? When viewing a post, you’ll find a member’s rank to the left of their name.Click on a username to explore their profile, where their rank is prominently displayed. What about the ranks themselves? New members start as New Members, progressing to Regular Visitors, and then Frequent Visitors.Beyond that, we have a categorized system: Kudo Ranks: Earned through kudos (teal icons).Post Ranks: Based on your posts (purple icons).Solution Ranks: Reflecting your solutions (green icons).Combo Ranks: These orange icons combine kudos, solutions, and posts. The top ranks have unique names, making your journey even more exciting! So dive in, collect those kudos, share solutions, and let’s see how high you can rank!  🌟 🚀   Check out the Using the Community boards in each of the communities for more helpful information!  Power Apps, Power Automate, Copilot Studio & Power Pages

Find Out What Makes Super Users So Super

We know many of you visit the Power Platform Communities to ask questions and receive answers. But do you know that many of our best answers and solutions come from Community members who are super active, helping anyone who needs a little help getting unstuck with Business Applications products? We call these dedicated Community members Super Users because they are the real heroes in the Community, willing to jump in whenever they can to help! Maybe you've encountered them yourself and they've solved some of your biggest questions. Have you ever wondered, "Why?"We interviewed several of our Super Users to understand what drives them to help in the Community--and discover the difference it has made in their lives as well! Take a look in our gallery today: What Motivates a Super User? - Power Platform Community (microsoft.com)

Users online (5,790)