Create a duplicate of a file in a Teams site?

[jay312]

Hello!

I wanted to check if the following is easily technically possible to make things more efficient :).

1. I have a Teams site, with a sharepoint site behind it
2. I have a powerpoint called e.g. 20.04.20 Test 1 for Monday
3. On e.g. Tuesday I want to create a copy of this file and change the name to e.g. 21.04.20 xxxx 
4. The flow should then move the 20.04.20 Test 1 for Monday into a folder called 'Archive' 

Is there a technical way to set this up that is easy?

Ideal case:

• Flow triggered by a button or a schedule
• Flow creates a copy/duplicate of the last file that is in this folder/site location
• Flow could rename the copy to something else (Date at start of name would be best case)
• Flow then moves the first file to an 'Archive' Folder
• Now we only have one file in the folder, this would be the duplicate file that flow has renamed.

Please see the pics for a basic set up of the Teams site. Does this sound feasible?

Currently I:

• Copy and paste the file I want to use as a duplicate
• Rename the duplicate file to e.g. 21.04.20
• Move the older duplicate file e.g. 20.04.20 to Archive file

I want to make changes to the latest file, and use the latest file as a template for the next day the powerpoint is needed

Thank you!

[efialttes · Accepted solution]

Hi!

-REcurrence trigger

-'Get files (properties only)' on the source library, assign the following ODATA expression as 'Order by' input...

Modified desc

 ...and assign value 1 to 'Top count' input, so you ensure to get the newest file

-Now, you can get the file ID by means of the following expression...

first(body('Get_files_(properties_only)')?['Value'])?['ID']

...and the file identifier by means of the following expression

first(body('Get_files_(properties_only)')?['Value'])?['{Identifier}']

-In order to create a copy and rename it, my suggestion is to use 'Create file'. You will need first to get current file content by means of 'Get file content' or 'Get file content using path'

-In order to move source file, you can use 'Move file'

More info on Sharepoint connector and its action blocks here

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/connectors/sharepointonline/#actions

Hope this helps

[jay312]

Hello @efialttes 

Thank you for reply!

Is there any chance you could please add some pictures?

My flow at the moment is a little confusing and looks like below..

[efialttes]

Hi!

IN your 'Get file content'... did you used the expression I suggested to assign the File identifier?

If you are not familiar with expressions, please follow these steps

https://flow.microsoft.com/es-es/blog/use-expressions-in-actions/

Now, let's discuss "Create file" inputs:

-you should assign to 'Create file' 'File content' input the corresponding output from 'Get file Content'

-you should assign to 'Create file''File name' not only the file name, also the extension (myimage.jpg, myexcelsheet.xlsx)

Sorry I am not with my laptop... please take a try and let us know your progress

THanx!

[jay312]

Hello @efialttes 

I put your first expression, in the File Identified box first(body('Get_files_(properties_only)')?['value'])?['ID']

I am not sure where to use the formula below. Also is Order By = to 'Modified desc' ?  on Get files properties?

first(body('Get_files_(properties_only)')?['Value'])?['{Identifier}']

For File Name I have put Test and then File name with extension dynamic content.

Thank you! Pic below 

[efialttes]

Hi again!

First of all, let me apologize for not explaining me better:

THe File Identifier you need to add in 'Get file content' shall be derived from the following expression:

first(body('Get_files_(properties_only)')?['Value'])?['{Identifier}']

Now, you got the 'File Name' dynamic content from 'Get files (properties only), right? This explains an 'Apply to Each' that is shown in your current flow design

Taking into account we are limiting the 'Get files (properties only)' to provide max 1 result ('Top count' is set to one) this approach you took is probably easier than the one I suggested with expressions.

Probably it's not the best designed flow, but it should work now

Hope this helps

[jay312]

Hello @efialttes 

Thanks for reply.

Does this flow look right? I have replace File Identifier with the formula you said (

first(body('Get_files_(properties_only)')?['value'])?['{Identifier}']

Under File name i put test and then file name with extension? and under File content is file content

I am not sure if this is right / limited flow knowledge but will test it now.. 

[efialttes]

Hi!

Looks fine. Just try it and let us know your progress

Thanx!

[jay312]

Hello @efialttes 

Thank you! It worked fine!

Do you know what sort of formula or expression I can add to the File Name to include todays date?

Also for File Name do I even need File name with extension dynamic content on it?

Could I just put formula for todays date + test as the name and get rid of file name with extension?

And to move the file, Please could you see my screenshot? How do I reference the original file to be moved? I am not sure what to type under file to move. Each time the file is copied the original should be moved so this seems to be dynamic?

[efialttes]

HURRAY! IT WORKS!

Congrats, man!

Next steps? My humble suggestion is:

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