Incrementing to Monday if DueDate = Sat or Sun

[MrNigel]

This is a simple requirement that is failing on the final step when I try and add 'n' days to the DueDate variable.  The Flow is simple:

1. Create a task
2. Set task DueDate to utc(now) + 2 days using 'Get Future Time'
3. Use dayOfWeek and Switch to add either 2 or 1 days to DueDate if dayOfWeek=6 or 0

All this logic works fine, but I get this error when I try and add either 2 or 1 days to DueDate:

Flow save failed with code 'WorkflowRunActionInputsInvalidProperty' and message 'The inputs of workflow run action 'Set_variable_4' of type 'SetVariable' are not valid. Self reference is not supported when updating the value of variable 'DueDate'.'.

I am using this expression to update DueDate in a Set Variable action:

formatDateTime(addDays(variables('DueDate'),1),'dd-MMMM-yyyy')

What action/expression should I be using to add 2 or 1 days to DueDate?

TIA community 🙂

[abm · Accepted solution]

Hi @MrNigel 

Believe you are doing the format expression 'formatDateTime(addDays(variables('DueDate'),1),'dd-MMMM-yyyy')' under the variables('DueDate'). Flow won't support this. 

What you could do is use a compose action set and use the output value for the next flow step. Another way to do is declare another variable and use the format expression.

If this reply has answered your question or solved your issue, please mark this question as answered. Answered questions helps users in the future who may have the same issue or question quickly find a resolution via search. If you liked my response, please consider giving it a thumbs up.

Thanks

[RezaDorrani]

Hi @MrNigel 

use expressions

if( equals(dayOfWeek(addDays(utcNow(),1)),'5'),addDays(utcNow(),3),if( equals(dayOfWeek(addDays(utcNow(),1)),'6'),addDays(utcNow(),2),addDays(utcNow(),1)))

replace utcnow() - with your date field value

above expression

will check if dayofweek is 5- friday - it will bypass weekend and go to monday - by adding 3 days

if dayofweek is 6 -saturday - it will bypass sunday and go to monday - by adding 2 days

else it will add 1 day

Regards,

Reza Dorrani

If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly

[MrNigel]

@abm You were correct, I needed to use the Condition action. The flow goes like this:

1. Use GetFutureTime to add 2 days to DueDate
2. Use Switch to branch based on DayOfWeek
3. If DayOfWeek=6 use Condition to add 2 days so DayOfWeek=1
4. Condition expression is: formatDateTime(addDays(variables('DueDate'),2),'yyyy-MM-dd')

I know I could do this with less actions, but by repeating stuff it makes it easier for the person maintaining the Flow after I have gone to understand the logic.

@RezaDorrani your solution is also correct, but I am an old school workflow guy (Staffware in the 80s/90s, then e-work, Skelta, K2, Nintex) and I like to have very descriptive process maps so the person who maintains the flow doesn't need to be an expression guru 😉

Thank you both for solving my issue,

Nigel