cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
Reply
AndreiCiurea
Advocate II
Advocate II

Flow doesn't read created/updated Excel file in SharePoint Library

I have a SharePoint library to which Excel files will be saved periodically. I need a flow to access each file when it's added to the library and take some action with the data within. The specific action isn't relevant since my issue is that I can't get Flow access the file dynamically.

I'm trying to get Excel Online (Business) actions to work with the trigger "When a file is created or modified in a folder". My test file is called "text.xlsx" and it has a table element in it. If I select the file 'statically', with the file browser ...

 

1.png

 

... it works, as below.

 

2.png

 

However, if I create the same syntax in the "File" field, by typing "/[File name]" ...

 

3.png

 

... it fails, as below. Even though the input for "File" clearly looks identical ("/text.xlsx"), the error says it's an invalid value.

 

4.png

 

I've even tried it with just the dynamic content, without the '/', but I get a different error ...

 

6.png

 

... and I get the same error if I use the "File identified" dynamic content (a proposed solution mentioned in a separate thread on this forum).

 

5.png

 

Could anyone point out what I'm doing wrong and also what a solution might be?

 

Also, on a separate but related note, could someone please confirm whether an excel file *needs* at least one table element in it in order to function correctly with the Excel actions? As in, if I just have a file with data in it, but not formatted as a table, there's no way to get flow to read the data?

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION

Accepted Solutions
v-yamao-msft
Community Support
Community Support

Hi @AndreiCiurea,

 

Thanks for feedback.

I am afraid that choosing a dynamic content in the File field has not been supported by connector Excel (Business). Currently, we could only select a file by clicking the Show picker.

There is a similar request on Flow Ideas Forum, please vote the idea at here:

https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Flow-Ideas/Dynamic-content-in-File-amp-Table-inputs-Excel-Busine...

About your second question, if you haven’t formatted the file as a table, then you won’t be able to get the data from the table.

 

Best regards,

Mabel

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

View solution in original post

12 REPLIES 12
v-yamao-msft
Community Support
Community Support

Hi @AndreiCiurea,

 

Thanks for feedback.

I am afraid that choosing a dynamic content in the File field has not been supported by connector Excel (Business). Currently, we could only select a file by clicking the Show picker.

There is a similar request on Flow Ideas Forum, please vote the idea at here:

https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Flow-Ideas/Dynamic-content-in-File-amp-Table-inputs-Excel-Busine...

About your second question, if you haven’t formatted the file as a table, then you won’t be able to get the data from the table.

 

Best regards,

Mabel

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

Thanks for the quick reply Mabel, and for the link!

Hi @AndreiCiurea,

 

Thanks for your understanding.

If this answered your question, please accept it as solution.

 

Best regards,

Mabel

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

@v-yamao-msft @AndreiCiurea 

 

Are you able to find out the solution of this issue?  

Anonymous
Not applicable

@AndreiCiurea @panand99 @v-yamao-msft @Anonymous  @dogBotherer @LoviseH @Anonymous @Wheatcroft @kaishavtrehan88 @Anonymous @Robertas @zdliang @DarrenK @RTW 

 

Got Solution to read dynamic Excel files from Excel connectors: (added in sharepoint or onedrive etc)

100% working

 

1) "Create file" connector is saving Excel file received from outlook into onedrive folder.

2) I have used "ID" field from "Create File" connector so when I hover over ID then it shows "body('Create_file')?['Id']"

that's why I have added it in below formula / function.

(below formula will work for you as setting file dynamically. (Please see now 2nd screen shot)

 

replace(substring(body('Create_file')?['Id'],int(lastIndexOf(body('Create_file')?['Id'],'.')),sub(length(body('Create_file')?['Id']),int(lastIndexOf(body('Create_file')?['Id'],'.')))),'.','')

 

id.png

 

Add above updated formula in Set variable's value field by Expression

and then use in Excel connector's file field as shown below.

DynamicFileIssueSolved.png

also note that your dynamic Excel files can be macro enabled .xlsm too but if those Excel files has button then your flow will fail while reading excel by Microsoft flow (It fails at my side). for this issue you can insert button image and have macro run on image click events.

 

Best Regards,

Amit Kshirsagar

 

 

That's excellent, thanks for sharing! Nonetheless, I fear this is not applicable when adding rows in the table is required, as the designer is unable to infer the columns to be populated (and does not allow them to be declared either...).

Anonymous
Not applicable

@RobertoE 

 

for each table rows flow sets unique id and also by logically we can add new records or update existing records in Excel table.

You can share scenarios to test 🙂

Hi Amit,

Thanks for your interest and willingness to help.

My case can be roughly summarized as follows:

  • I need to create multiple copies of an xlsx template to multiple SP locations.
  • Given specific business logics in the flow, different data should be injected on a case by case basis in a table located in a hidden worksheet of the file, which we use as a sort of configuration panel to alter the way several formulas behave throughout the file.
  • Now, given the apparent impossibility to perform the “insert row in a table” action on excel files solely referred by a variable, I was forced to establish a loop where I:
    1. Inject these meta information in the original template.
    2. Copy the file to the intended location.
    3. Clean the original file and cycle over the loop.
  • This works pretty fine. However, the necessity to operate directly on the original template prevents me from using the parallelism feature MS Flow offers for “Apply to each” loops. Given the fact that I need to rapidly generate these templates in batches of 300, I really would need to perform the data injection step on the new files, thus allowing parallelism.

 

Please let me know if there’s anything in the abovementioned scenario requiring clarifications.

 

Regards,

Roberto

Hi Amit,

Pls can you help me with a similar issue. 

I cant seem to find the table name using your method. 

 

My flow:

Click button in powerapps -> initilialize variable -> List rows from excel -> insert row(SQL)

 

 
Anonymous
Not applicable

@ramgkulkarni_rb 

 

I am assuming that all dynamic Excels has same table name.

In this case, please select file as usual.

Table name will display in "table" fields dropdown list.

Copy the table name.

add dynamic file name as mentioned in below screen shot

and past table name. that's it.

Table.png

Thank you Amit, youre a genius. 

@Anonymous can make this same solution for sharepoitn Library, not onedrive ? Please?

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 (4,905)