Error 400: Trying to update Azure DevOps using a flow

[anka]

Hi, I am facing some trouble updating a field in DevOps(user story) through a flow. The error code I get is 400. "At least one operation is required for Apply".

This is a pretty simple flow that looks for any update in DevOps user story and then updates a specific field with some calculated values.

Here are a few scenarios that I have tried:

1. I tried to set some other values e.g. Title and it works there.
2. I am sending an email with the calculated value in it, which shows the right value. So I know the formula is correct.
3. I tried to hardcode the value of that field(not through the formula but assigning an integer number) and that also did not work.

Here is a screenshot of the flow and 

Any suggestions here?

Thanks,

[v-alzhan-msft]

Hi @anka ,

I have made a test on my side and don't have the issue that you mentioned.

Does the ['Custom_CD3WeightedValue]} is the column name? What is the column type of the ['Custom_CD3WeightedValue]} column?

I have made a test to create a number type column "New Int" and create a flow as screenshot below:

I'm use the same expression with you:

div(mul(int(variables('Urgency')),int(variables('Value'))),div(variables('Hours'),80))

The flow would run successfully as below:

Please take a try to create a number column and make a test again to see if your flow would works.

Link below about create column for work item for your referance:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/organizations/settings/work/add-custom-field?view=azur...

Best regards,

Alice       

Community Support Team _ Alice Zhang
If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

[anka]

Hey Alice (@v-alzhan-msft), thank you for your response.

Yes, Custom_CD3WeightedValue is a custom value and datatype is Decimal. 

I noticed that you are using a Create work item instead of the Update work item. Could you please try to Update like our flow and let me know if that works for you? Creating a work item would create duplicate values in DevOps.

Thanks,

[jonme]

I'm having the same problem trying to update a custom Azure DevOps field using the Update Work Item action in Power Automate. I've tried several permutations of field data types and variable data types, float, decimal and int.  I've also tried updating with a simple integer not stored in a variable.  I still get the same error.

[v-alzhan-msft · Accepted solution]

Hi @anka ,

I have made a test on my side to create a New Decimal column with Decimal type and the flow could also works on my side.

I see your flow has trigger when a work item is updated and action update a work item, this would cause a loop for the flow and we couldn't create a flow for update the work item when the work item is updated.

Best regards,

Alice       

Community Support Team _ Alice Zhang
If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

[jonme]

Alice,

It seems like we're able to update other out of the box fields on update, but not custom ones.

Is it possible to not trigger the update action when power automate updates, or auto calculate a field in DevOps without Power Automate?

[jonme]

I found a post that suggests it's possible:

https://dombat.co.uk/using-microsoft-flow-to-fill-calculated-fields-in-azure-devops/

[anka]

We were able to stop the workflow by adding a Yes/No condition. If the value that we are trying to update is already present, we terminate the workflow, or else we execute it.

E.g. Say we are updating Cost of delay using a formula.

At Devops item modified action the workflow starts and looks for the Cost of delay field, and if is already set to what it should be according to the formula, it terminates, or else it sets the field according to the formula. This stopped the infinite looping in the item.

[Anonymous]

@v-alzhan-msft 

I've read your solution reply and take note of your comment about flows triggered by a work item update will trigger a never ending flow of updates.

Can you recommend a solution in which I can specify
When a work item is updated
And a specific field has been changed
Then execute this flow
Or End

to break the never ending loop?