Display Name Condition

[Annabelle]

I need help getting my flow to move to the next step if a ms form response is blank.  Below is a screen shot.  I have read a lot of articles and I need help.  Everything else in the flow works but if a user leaves the answer blank the flow stays stuck at that step.  The scenario is that i have a ms form that users fill out to request items for purchase.  If they upload an attachment it puts it into a SharePoint list.  I have used get user email based on names selected from a drop down list ( flow runs if they select a name it converts it to a value)  I need to know how to also move flow along if value is blank at any one of the form answers.  I don't know how to keep wording this to get help so here is a screen shot of the four form fields and the current flow.  

[Jcook]

Hello @Annabelle 

Could you post a picture of the flow run where it hangs or stops from a blank answer.

Thanks

[Annabelle]

In this example third was left blank.  I need to have the option that someone could leave second or third blank and it still proceeds.  

[Jcook]

Hello @Annabelle 

Thank you for the screenshot,

You will need to add a IF condition before each loop that has a optional question.

In the condition you will need to evaluate if the question is empty. You can do this with the empty() expression, example:

IF empty(<'Insert question from Forms here'>)    is equal to  true 

Note I always use the expression 'true' instead of writing true. 

[Annabelle]

Hello @Jcook I don't understand where to put the expression I have tried it before immediate supervisor and the for loop and I keep getting an error message that my expression is not valid.  This is my first flow and I almost want it to be my last because I am stressed out and discouraged.  I know this should be intuitive but I am not getting 

This is what I have been putting in 

IF empty(body('Get_response_details')?['rb383f2f807554185821af66be02870e3'])  

[Jcook]

Hi,

Don’t worry, we will get it working for you. It can be tough at times. Once you get use to the expressions. Things start going very smooth.

Your expression looks good. Just remove the IF

[Annabelle]

My flow is still not working properly. It is now timing out.  It also failed when I submitted again. These are the new screen shots.  

[Jcook]

Hi @Annabelle

It looks like your flow is failing on send email action now.

Quick question. Are you using the ‘Test’ button on the top right to run the flow?
When adding new actions that require connections (like send email). If you use a test run from a previous run, the flow will fail because in that previous run the flow does not have that new connection.

Please try and trigger the flow by filling out the form. Let me know what the error is or if it keeps timing out still.

Oh, and I seen you got the empty() expression working. My thought was that you would need to put the apply to each with the approval inside the ‘If no’ block. Since you wouldn’t want an approval to be sent to someone with no item? Idle that correct? I am just trying to understand the flow.

To give some context of the empty expression:
If the value being consumed is empty than it will = true. So if you have true on the right side of the condition which will equal true,
Now the condition will check
if true is equal to true.

[Annabelle]

@Jcook  I tested again by filling out the ms form.  I moved the apply to each to the no block.  Error occurs in the same place.  I have started moving the start an approval no block after apply to each and got a nesting warning.  Should I start from scratch.  This should not be this complicated if trying to convert a paper form that gets walked around to each person who has to approve to a ms form with a flow that send the form to each person.  How are people even doing this in the real world. 

I want to be a flow nut but flow is making me nuts right now.

[Jcook]

Hi @Annabelle 

Yes I can see why you would be frustrated. (I have been there).

If you would like, I could help build a POC for you.

I just want to get your confirmation on the requirements. 

1. User fills out form to request items to buy

2. User fills selects Username from dropdown for approvals?

3. If User leaves one of the approvers blank, than flow should move forward and not send an approval

Couple of questions,

are you using Start and Wait for an approval, or using the Start approval action.

Let me know if i got anything wrong or if you can add anything, and I will build a quick POC and walk you through how to build. 

[Jcook]

Hi @Annabelle 

Please look at my POC. I have changed the Form a bit. I have added a couple of questions asking if next approver is Chief of Police or not. And using branching to show the next message of not:

NOTE: If you want to grab additional values like Display name and use them outside a loop, please use a Initialize variable and than use a Set variable inside the loop. This will stop any wild Apply to each loops flow will make you use

Let me know of any questions.