cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
Reply
Larry_Casey
Helper II
Helper II

Flow is unable to compare dates using NULL and OR

Hello,

 

I have a super simple flow that doesnt seem to work.  Basically I am comparing two date fields, but 1 of the dates may be null.

 

I am using an OR condition to check if event Date is greater than the last event date OR the Last Event Date is Null.

 

The flow fails every time  when the Last Event Date is Null.  But I have setup the logic correctly and it would seem that this should work. But it fails every time the last event date is null. Why doesn't flow work as expected here?

 

01.png

 

 

InvalidTemplateUnable to process template language expressions for action 'Condition' at line '1' and column '2706': 'The template language function 'greaterOrEquals' expects two parameter of matching types. The function was invoked with values of type 'String' and 'Null' that do not match.'.

21 REPLIES 21
abm
Most Valuable Professional
Most Valuable Professional

Hi @Larry_Casey 

 

Try the following:

 

What's the data type here? For checking null try empty() or length() expression. 

 

Thanks



Did I answer your question? Mark my post as a solution!

If you liked my response, please consider giving it a thumbs up


Proud to be a Flownaut!

Learn more from my blog
Power Automate Video Tutorials
ChristianAbata
Most Valuable Professional
Most Valuable Professional

hi @Larry_Casey  you coud use insted null the fuctions empty if the field are you receibe no have values.

If your output is null you can try String(null)



Did I answer your question? Please consider to Mark
my post as a solution! to guide others :winking_face:

Proud to be a Flownaut!


If you want you can follow me:
Youtube: Christian Abata
Facebook: Power Automate LA
Website Tutorials: Christian Abata

I dont see anywhere in the interface to add what you are saying.   The logic in Flow is correct.  The product simply isnt working as the picture I provided should work according to Microsoft documentation.

Looking at the error message it seems that either your Event date  or the Last event date in the first part of the condition is empty.

Rob
Los Gallardos

ChristianAbata
Most Valuable Professional
Most Valuable Professional

@Larry_Casey  try this

here.PNG



Did I answer your question? Please consider to Mark
my post as a solution! to guide others :winking_face:

Proud to be a Flownaut!


If you want you can follow me:
Youtube: Christian Abata
Facebook: Power Automate LA
Website Tutorials: Christian Abata

That is an Invalid Expression. Flow will not Accept Empty

 

01.png

Pstork1
Most Valuable Professional
Most Valuable Professional

First, Date columns are never null. If a date value isn't filled in it always defaults to some minimal date.  The actual date would depend on the data source involved.  The other potential problem is that you may ahve a mismatch between Event Date and Last Event date in terms of the data type.  It sounds from the error like one is a date/time field and the other is a string.  please check the data types involved and let us know what they are.  Then we can help you resolve the issue.



-------------------------------------------------------------------------
If I have answered your question, please mark your post as Solved.
If you like my response, please give it a Thumbs Up.
ChristianAbata
Most Valuable Professional
Most Valuable Professional

hi @Larry_Casey  allways close the fuction like this empty()



Did I answer your question? Please consider to Mark
my post as a solution! to guide others :winking_face:

Proud to be a Flownaut!


If you want you can follow me:
Youtube: Christian Abata
Facebook: Power Automate LA
Website Tutorials: Christian Abata

I have tried all the following:

 

Last_Event_Date is Equal to Empty()   -- Same Error

Last_Event_Date is Equal to String(Null)   -- Same Error

Last_Event_Date is Equal to String(Empty())   -- Same Error

 

Nothing is working.

ChristianAbata
Most Valuable Professional
Most Valuable Professional

hi @Larry_Casey  could you share with us the output from sharepoint? the json output please



Did I answer your question? Please consider to Mark
my post as a solution! to guide others :winking_face:

Proud to be a Flownaut!


If you want you can follow me:
Youtube: Christian Abata
Facebook: Power Automate LA
Website Tutorials: Christian Abata

For the Empty() I receive this:

 

Unable to process template language expressions for action 'Condition' at line '1' and column '2706': 'The template language function 'empty' expects one parameter: the object, array or string to test for emptiness. The function was invoked with '0' parameter(s). Please see https://aka.ms/logicexpressions#empty for usage details.'.

abm
Most Valuable Professional
Most Valuable Professional

Hi @Larry_Casey 

 

You need to check empty check like this.

 

image.png



Did I answer your question? Mark my post as a solution!

If you liked my response, please consider giving it a thumbs up


Proud to be a Flownaut!

Learn more from my blog
Power Automate Video Tutorials

How can I check for empty like that in the OR condition?

 

Basically I just need to know whether the Last_Event_date is empty OR the Event_Date is Greater than or equal to the Last_Event_Date.

 

Then apply an action if True.

 

 

01.png

01.png

No matter what I try, Even if I remove the OR, Flow can not determine if a date field is empty.

 

This must be an Outage.  I encourage anyone in this forum to try and you will see.

 

  • Simply create two date Fields in a SharePoint List.
  • Name them: Event_Date and Last_Event_Date   (They are date fields)
  • Leave the Last_Event_Date empty
  • Then try to determine if the Last_Event_Date is empty.

    Last_event_Date is empty, null, blank, string(null) etc...... I have ran through every single possible combination and flow will never recognize that a date field is empty. It returns false every single time.

 

 

ChristianAbata
Most Valuable Professional
Most Valuable Professional

@Larry_Casey  could please you copy an paste what is inside of get items?



Did I answer your question? Please consider to Mark
my post as a solution! to guide others :winking_face:

Proud to be a Flownaut!


If you want you can follow me:
Youtube: Christian Abata
Facebook: Power Automate LA
Website Tutorials: Christian Abata

All,

 

I have found the solution and really appreciate all your assistance and help. Everyone here contributed to finding the answer. I am not a programmer so this is all really new to me and now it makes sense. There is no Power Automate outage 😉

 

I had to use the following which was mentioned, but I didn't realize I needed to add the field value to empty.

 

Empty(item()?['Last_Event']) is equal to  True
 
So the  condition looks like this:
 

 

01.png

@abm   I now understand what you were telling me.  I did not realize I needed to use the field value in the empty string

 

Empty(item()?['Last_Event']) is equal to  True
 
I am not a programmer so it took me a minute to figure out the correct syntax for empty
 
Thanks again!
 
Pstork1
Most Valuable Professional
Most Valuable Professional

The problem is that if you don't set a default date on a date in SharePoint then Flow doesn't return that field in the results unless its filled in.  So you can't test if the date value is Null because the field itself isn't included in the JSON results when you do a Get Item or Get Items.  If you look at the JSON in your runs you'll see that the field itself is missing from some of the records.  I think the only way to make this work is to default the date in SharePoint to some date in the distant past and then check against that date when you would check to see if its null.  But at least if there was a date there then the field would be returned.



-------------------------------------------------------------------------
If I have answered your question, please mark your post as Solved.
If you like my response, please give it a Thumbs Up.

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! 💪 🌠  

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)

March User Group Update: New Groups and Upcoming Events!

  Welcome to this month’s celebration of our Community User Groups and exciting User Group events. We’re thrilled to introduce some brand-new user groups that have recently joined our vibrant community. Plus, we’ve got a lineup of engaging events you won’t want to miss. Let’s jump right in: New User Groups   Sacramento Power Platform GroupANZ Power Platform COE User GroupPower Platform MongoliaPower Platform User Group OmanPower Platform User Group Delta StateMid Michigan Power Platform Upcoming Events  DUG4MFG - Quarterly Meetup - Microsoft Demand PlanningDate: 19 Mar 2024 | 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM Central America Standard TimeDescription: Dive into the world of manufacturing with a focus on Demand Planning. Learn from industry experts and share your insights. Dynamics User Group HoustonDate: 07 Mar 2024 | 11:00 AM to 01:00 PM Central America Standard TimeDescription: Houston, get ready for an immersive session on Dynamics 365 and the Power Platform. Connect with fellow professionals and expand your knowledge. Reading Dynamics 365 & Power Platform User Group (Q1)Date: 05 Mar 2024 | 06:00 PM to 09:00 PM GMT Standard TimeDescription: Join our virtual meetup for insightful discussions, demos, and community updates. Let’s kick off Q1 with a bang! Leaders, Create Your Events!  Leaders of existing User Groups, don’t forget to create your events within the Community platform. By doing so, you’ll enable us to share them in future posts and newsletters. Let’s spread the word and make these gatherings even more impactful! Stay tuned for more updates, inspiring stories, and collaborative opportunities from and for our Community User Groups.   P.S. Have an event or success story to share? Reach out to us – we’d love to feature you!

Users online (5,890)