cancel
Turn on suggestions
Auto-suggest helps you quickly narrow down your search results by suggesting possible matches as you type.
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
Reply
ahall
Helper I
Helper I

Interacting with Data from Excel without a table

‎02-27-2019 01:04 PM

I have an excel file that is emailed to me that I want to add into a SQL database. My issue is the excel file is not configured with a table. How can I get these rows into a table format using flow?

 

I see the create table function from excel but that creates and empty table with the column headings I choose. Is it possible to create the table with data?

 

I can get my whole process to work if I start with a file that has a table in it, but my emailed report is not possible to be created with the table from the source so I have to automate that somehow.

Labels:
Message 1 of 45
54,004 Views
2 ACCEPTED SOLUTIONS

Accepted Solutions
v-bacao-msft
Community Support
Community Support

‎02-28-2019 07:14 PM

Hi @ahall ,

 

If the current configured Excel file does not contain a defined table, the related action cannot be used.

Create table action can only define a table, but it cannot insert data.

In addition, the existing action cannot obtain the data contained in the worksheet, so the data cannot be automatically inserted into the table through Flow.

I am afraid there is currently no way to achieve such a requirements.

If you want similar features to be supported, you could post your idea in the Flow Ideas forum, so it might be considered for future releases.

https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Flow-Ideas/idb-p/FlowIdeas

 

Best Regards,

Community Support Team _ Barry
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

Message 2 of 45
49,915 Views
0 Kudos
44 REPLIES 44
v-bacao-msft
Community Support
Community Support

‎02-28-2019 07:14 PM

Hi @ahall ,

 

If the current configured Excel file does not contain a defined table, the related action cannot be used.

Create table action can only define a table, but it cannot insert data.

In addition, the existing action cannot obtain the data contained in the worksheet, so the data cannot be automatically inserted into the table through Flow.

I am afraid there is currently no way to achieve such a requirements.

If you want similar features to be supported, you could post your idea in the Flow Ideas forum, so it might be considered for future releases.

https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Flow-Ideas/idb-p/FlowIdeas

 

Best Regards,

Community Support Team _ Barry
If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.
Message 2 of 45
49,916 Views
0 Kudos
ahall
Helper I
Helper I
In response to v-bacao-msft

‎03-20-2019 09:22 AM

A solution to this problem is solved here.

 

https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Flow-Cookbook/Read-tab-delimited-CSV-and-write-records/m-p/24645...

 

Message 3 of 45
49,901 Views
Anonymous
Not applicable
In response to ahall

‎06-12-2020 11:07 AM

Hey , I don't have access to the link. Can you share the permissions with me?

Message 4 of 45
46,455 Views
GTMSWadmin
Advocate II
Advocate II
In response to ahall

‎08-06-2020 08:53 PM

Hi @ahall, I am not able to access this link, is there anyway I can access it?

I want to know how to read a csv file and iterate through them in Flow (Power Automate).

Thanks.

 

https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Flow-Cookbook/Read-tab-delimited-CSV-and-write-records/m-p/24645...

Message 5 of 45
45,525 Views
JoeBeckie
New Member
In response to GTMSWadmin

‎10-28-2020 08:43 PM

What is the solution? I don't have access to that link.

Message 6 of 45
44,048 Views
SomeOfficeGuy
New Member

‎03-02-2021 05:51 AM

I have the same issue. I need to write a few fields (individual values and arrays) into a worksheet that does not have simple easy tables defined. We really need a PowerAutomate function that does not rely heavily on tables only!

Message 7 of 45
41,379 Views
SomeOfficeGuy
New Member
In response to ahall

‎03-02-2021 05:52 AM

Says I dont have access

Message 8 of 45
41,376 Views
0 Kudos
gurujeet
Frequent Visitor

‎03-04-2021 02:09 PM

I get the Access denied message also.

Message 9 of 45
41,261 Views
0 Kudos
GeoffRen
Microsoft
Microsoft

‎03-08-2021 07:14 PM

Just for exposure, this is now possible with Office Scripts, specifically Office Scripts with Power Automate. This is the 'Run Script' action on the Excel connector. With Office Scripts you can use the 'Run Script' action to execute javascript against a workbook. With Office Scripts, you can manipulate almost anything in Excel to do anything you want, since it's all just code. Even if you don't have experience coding, Office Scripts can help generate a script by recording your actions via the Action Recorder.

Message 10 of 45
41,168 Views
majorfriend
Advocate II
Advocate II
In response to GeoffRen

‎03-10-2021 11:09 AM

I thought this could be a solution, but not quite.

Since Power Automate can only run a script in an Excel file, it doesn't help much. Here is the situation:


I get an email with a report as an Excel file, but data is not formatted as a table. I want to run a flow to save the attachment to OneDrive or Sharepoint and then interact with the data. Obviously, I can't since it isn't a table, and since saving the attachment creates a new file that new file will not have any Office Scripts to run. 

Message 11 of 45
41,077 Views
GeoffRen
Microsoft
Microsoft
In response to majorfriend

‎03-10-2021 01:04 PM

Office Scripts are workbook agnostic, you should be able to run any Office Script you created previously on a newly saved/created file. 

Message 12 of 45
41,065 Views
majorfriend
Advocate II
Advocate II
In response to GeoffRen

‎03-10-2021 01:17 PM

I'm an idiot, did not realize that.

 

This is amazing, going to solve so many issues for us!

Message 13 of 45
41,053 Views
0 Kudos
majorfriend
Advocate II
Advocate II
In response to majorfriend

‎03-10-2021 03:14 PM

Thanks @GeoffRen 

I'm running into another issue now I'm hoping you can help with. With this flow I'm getting a "The script couldn't create a connection with Excel" error.

majorfriend_0-1615426030898.png

 





 

 

 

Message 14 of 45
41,028 Views
0 Kudos
majorfriend
Advocate II
Advocate II
In response to majorfriend

‎03-11-2021 07:08 AM

Was able to figure this out. Looks like every file needs a unique name or the file will be corrupted by the create file step.

Message 15 of 45
40,975 Views
CraigR76
Frequent Visitor
In response to majorfriend

‎04-14-2021 01:50 PM

Hi @majorfriend 

 

What does your script do?

I'm struggling with trying to get a script to save a text file.

I could have the script format the data as a table and then back to PA to create the text file. Doesn't feel like a very clean solution going back and forth though.

Message 16 of 45
39,902 Views
0 Kudos
majorfriend
Advocate II
Advocate II
In response to CraigR76

‎04-14-2021 02:48 PM

Mine just formats the data as a table so I can use it in PA.

 

I haven't done too much with scripts, so I'm not sure if there is a way to create a file using one. I would probably just try your idea of formatting the table then using PA to create the text file.

Message 17 of 45
39,890 Views
CraigR76
Frequent Visitor
In response to majorfriend

‎04-15-2021 11:02 AM

Next problem is scripts won't run on a shared file (legacy shared not one drive shared).

Message 18 of 45
39,851 Views
0 Kudos
majorfriend
Advocate II
Advocate II

‎04-15-2021 11:44 AM

Not sure I have a good solution to that one, other than changing to share on OneDrive or SharePoint, not sure that is an option for you though.

Message 19 of 45
39,837 Views
0 Kudos
ArshUser
Helper II
Helper II
In response to majorfriend

‎10-19-2021 03:17 AM

Hey majorfriend,
I need to do the exact same thing: convert the contents of my excel to table using flow. Can you help me with the scripting part? I am new to this so don't know how to go about it.

Message 20 of 45
34,385 Views

Helpful resources

Announcements
November 2023 Community Newsletter

November 2023 Community Newsletter

Welcome to our November Newsletter, where we highlight the latest news, product releases, upcoming events, and the amazing work of our outstanding Community members. If you're new to the Community, please make sure to follow the latest News & Announcements and check out the Community on LinkedIn as well! It's the best way to stay up-to-date with all the news from across the Power Platform and beyond.        This month's highlights:- - Our most active community members- Microsoft Power Up Program- Microsoft Community Days website - The latest blogs and more                 COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS Check out the most active community members of the last month. These hardworking members are posting regularly, answering questions, kudos, and providing top solutions in their communities. We are so thankful for each of you--keep up the great work! If you hope to see your name here next month, just get active! FLMikePstork1Nived_NambiarWarrenBelzSprongYeManishSolankiLaurensMwskinnermlcAgniusExpiscornovuscreativeopinion KatieAUinzil2kHaressh2728hafizsultan242douicmccaughanwoLucas001domliu   Power Up Program Click the image below to discover more about the amazing Microsoft Power Up Program, as Reem Omar, Abbas Godhrawala, Chahine Atallah, Ruby Ruiz Brown, Juan Francisco Sánchez Enciso, Joscelyne Andrade Arévalo, Eric G. and Paulina Pałczyńska share how non-tech professionals can successfully advance into a new career path using Microsoft #PowerPlatform.   To find out more about this amazing initiative, click here to apply for the program and reboot your journey into low-code app development today!     Community Days - Event Website Have you checked out the Community Days website yet? Dedicated to the volunteer community organizers around the world, Community Days is the perfect place to find an event near you or add an event for wider exposure. Many thanks to Thomas Daly, Sharon Weaver, Sedat Tum, Jonathan Weaver, Manpreet Singh, David Leveille, Jason Rivera, Mike Maadarani, Rob Windsor and the team for all their hard work. Anyone can host a Community Day on any topic relevant to our industry, just click the image below to find out more.       EVENT NEWS Power Platform French Summit - Paris/Virtual - 6-7th Dec It's not long now until the Power Platform French Summit, which takes place both virtually and in-person at the Microsoft France conference center in Paris on 6-7th December 2023. If you can't make it in-person, all sessions will also be broadcast on virtual networks for better distribution and accessibility.   There's a fantastic array of speakers, including Jérémy LAPLAINE, Amira Beldjilali, Rémi Chambard, Erika Beaumier, Makenson Frena, Assia Boutera, Elliott Pierret, Clothilde Facon, Gilles Pommier, Marie Aubert, Antoine Herbosa, Chloé Moreau, Raphaël Senis, Rym Ben Hamida, Loïc Cimon, Joséphine Salafia, David Zoonekyndt, Aïcha Charpentier, Henry Jammes, Milene Rochard, Mehdi EL YASSIR, and many more. Click the image below for more information.       LATEST COMMUNITY BLOG ARTICLES Power Apps Community Blog Power Automate Community Blog Copilot Community Blog Power Pages Community Blog

Back to Basics Tuesday Tip #10: Community Support

Back to Basics Tuesday Tip #10: Community Support

This is the TENTH post in our ongoing series dedicated to helping the amazing members of our community--both new members and seasoned veterans--learn and grow in how to best engage in the community! Each Tuesday, we feature new content that will help you best understand the community--from ranking and badges to profile avatars, from Super Users to blogging in the community. Our hope is that this information will help each of our community members grow in their experience with Power Platform, with the community, and with each other!   This Week: All About Community Support   Whether you're a seasoned community veteran or just getting started, you may need a bit of help from time to time! If you need to share feedback with the Community Engagement team about the community or are looking for ways we can assist you with user groups, events, or something else, Community Support is the place to start.   Community Support is part of every one of our communities, accessible to all our community members.     Power Apps: https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Community-Support/ct-p/pa_community_support Power Automate: https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Community-Support/ct-p/mpa_community_support Power Pages: https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Community-Support/ct-p/mpp_community_support Copilot Studio: https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Community-Support/ct-p/pva_community-support   Within each community's Community Support page, you'll find three distinct areas, each with a different focus to help you when you need support from us most.     Community Accounts & Registration is the go-to source for any and all information related to your account here in the community. It's full of great knowledge base articles that will help you manage your community account and know what steps to take if you wish to close your account.  ●  Power Apps  ●  Power Automate  ●  Power Pages, ●  Copilot Studio      Using the Community is your source for assistance with everything from Community User Groups to FAQ's and more. If you want to know what kudos are, how badges work, how to level up your User Group or something else, you will probably find the answers here. ●  Power Apps   ● Power Automate    ●  Power Pages  ●  Copilot Studio      Community Feedback is where you can share opportunities, concerns, or get information from the Community Engagement team. It's your best place to post a question about an issue you're having in the community, a general question you need answered. Whatever it is, visit Community Feedback to get the answers you need right away. Our team is honored to partner with you and can't wait to help you!   ●  Power Apps  ● Power Automate   ● Power Pages   ● Copilot Studio  

Microsoft Ignite 2023: The Recap

Microsoft Ignite 2023: The Recap

What an amazing event we had this year, as Microsoft showcased the latest advancements in how AI has the potential to reshape how customers, partners and developers strategize the future of work. Check out below some of our handpicked videos and Ignite announcements to see how Microsoft is driving real change for users and businesses across the globe.   Video Highlights Click the image below to check out a selection of Ignite 2023 videos, including the "Microsoft Cloud in the era of AI" keynote from Scott Guthrie, Charles Lamanna, Arun Ulag, Sarah Bird, Rani Borkar, Eric Boyd, Erin Chapple, Ali Ghodsi, and Seth Juarez. There's also a great breakdown of the amazing Microsoft Copilot Studio with Omar Aftab, Gary Pretty, and Kendra Springer, plus exciting sessions from Rajesh Jha, Jared Spataro, Ryan Jones, Zohar Raz, and many more.     Blog Announcements Microsoft Copilot presents an opportunity to reimagine the way we work—turning natural language into the most powerful productivity tool on the planet. With AI, organizations can unearth value in data across productivity tools like business applications and Microsoft 365. Click the link below to find out more.     Check out the latest features in Microsoft Power Apps that will help developers create AI-infused apps faster, give administrators more control over managing thousands of Microsoft Power Platform makers at scale, and deliver better experiences to users around the world. Click the image below to find out more.     Click below to discover new ways to orchestrate business processes across your organization with Copilot in Power Automate. With its user-friendly interface that offers hundreds of prebuilt drag-and-drop actions, more customers have been able to benefit from the power of automation.     Discover how Microsoft Power Platform and Microsoft Dataverse are activating the strength of your enterprise data using AI, the announcement of “plugins for Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365”, plus two new Power Apps creator experiences using Excel and natural language.       Click below to find out more about the general availability of Microsoft Fabric and the public preview of Copilot in Microsoft Fabric. With the launch of these next-generation analytics tools, you can empower your data teams to easily scale the demand on your growing business.     And for the rest of all the good stuff, click the link below to visit the Microsoft Ignite 2023 "Book of News", with over ONE HUNDRED announcements across infrastructure, data, security, new tools, AI, and everything else in-between!        

Back to Basics Tuesday Tip #9: All About the Galleries

Back to Basics Tuesday Tip #9: All About the Galleries

This is the ninth post in our series dedicated to helping the amazing members of our community--both new members and seasoned veterans--learn and grow in how to best engage in the community! Each Tuesday, we feature new content that will help you best understand the community--from ranking and badges to profile avatars, from Super Users to blogging in the community. Our hope is that this information will help each of our community members grow in their experience with Power Platform, with the community, and with each other!     Today's Tip: All About the Galleries Have you checked out the library of content in our galleries? Whether you're looking for the latest info on an upcoming event, a helpful webinar, or tips and tricks from some of our most experienced community members, our galleries are full of the latest and greatest video content for the Power Platform communities.   There are several different galleries in each community, but we recommend checking these out first:   Community Connections & How-To Videos Hosted by members of the Power Platform Community Engagement  Team and featuring community members from around the world, these helpful videos are a great way to "kick the tires" of Power Platform and find out more about your fellow community members! Check them out in Power Apps, Power Automate, Power Pages, and Copilot Studio!         Webinars & Video Gallery Each community has its own unique webinars and videos highlighting some of the great work being done across the Power Platform. Watch tutorials and demos by Microsoft staff, partners, and community gurus! Check them out: Power Apps Webinars & Video Gallery Power Automate Webinars & Video Gallery Power Pages Webinars & Video Gallery Copilot Studio Webinars & Video Gallery   Events Whether it's the excitement of the Microsoft Power Platform Conference, a local event near you, or one of the many other in-person and virtual connection opportunities around the world, this is the place to find out more about all the Power Platform-centered events. Power Apps Events Power Automate Events Power Pages Events Copilot Studio Events   Unique Galleries to Each Community Because each area of Power Platform has its own unique features and benefits, there are areas of the galleries dedicated specifically to videos about that product. Whether it's Power Apps samples from the community or the Power Automate Cookbook highlighting unique flows, the Bot Sharing Gallery in Copilot Studio or Front-End Code Samples in Power Pages, there's a gallery for you!   Check out each community's gallery today! Power Apps Gallery Power Automate Gallery Power Pages Gallery Copilot Studio Gallery

Unlocking the Power of Community: A Journey with Featued User Group leaders Geetha Sivasailam and Ben McMann

Unlocking the Power of Community: A Journey with Featued User Group leaders Geetha Sivasailam and Ben McMann

In the bustling world of technology, two dynamic leaders, Geetha Sivasailam and Ben McMann, have been at the forefront, steering the ship of the Dallas Fort Worth Power Platform User Group since its inception in February 2019. As Practice Lead (Power Platform | Fusion Dev) at Lantern, Geetha brings a wealth of consulting experience, while Ben, a key member of the Studio Leadership team at Lantern, specializes in crafting strategies that leverage Microsoft digital technologies to transform business models.   Empowering Through Community Leadership Geetha and Ben's journey as user group leaders began with a simple yet powerful goal: to create a space where individuals across the DFW area could connect, grow their skills, and add value to their businesses through the Power Platform. The platform, known for its versatility, allows users to achieve more with less code and foster creativity.   The Power of Community Impact Reflecting on their experiences, Geetha and Ben emphasize the profound impact that community engagement has had on both their professional and personal lives. The Power Platform community, they note, is a wellspring of resources and opportunities, fostering continuous learning, skill enhancement, and networking with industry experts and peers.   Favorite Moments and Words of Wisdom The duo's favorite aspect of leading the user group lies in witnessing the transformative projects and innovations community members create with the Power Platform. Their advice to aspiring user group leaders? "Encourage diverse perspectives, maintain an open space for idea-sharing, stay curious, and, most importantly, have fun building a vibrant community."   Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers Geetha and Ben encourage others to step into the realm of user group leadership, citing the rewarding experience of creating and nurturing a community of like-minded individuals. They highlight the chance to influence, impact, and positively guide others, fostering connections that extend beyond mere technology discussions.   Joining a User Group: A Gateway to Growth The leaders stress the importance of joining a user group, emphasizing exposure to diverse perspectives, solutions, and career growth opportunities within the Power Platform community. "Being part of such a group provides a supportive environment for seeking advice, sharing experiences, and navigating challenges."   A Year of Milestones Looking back at the past year, Geetha and Ben express pride in the group's growth and global participation. They recount the enriching experience of meeting members in person at the Microsoft Power Platform conference, showcasing the diverse range of perspectives and guest speakers that enriched the community's overall experience.   Continuous Learning on the Leadership Journey As user group leaders, Geetha and Ben recognize the continuous learning curve, blending interpersonal skills, adaptability, and dedication to foster a vibrant community. They highlight the importance of patience, persistence, and flexibility in achieving group goals, noting the significance of listening to the needs and suggestions of group members.They invite all tech enthusiasts to join the Dallas Fort Worth Power Platform User Group, a thriving hub where the power of community propels individuals to new heights in the dynamic realm of technology.

Visit the Community Lounge at Microsoft Ignite!

Visit the Community Lounge at Microsoft Ignite!

Are you attending Microsoft Ignite in Seattle this week? If so, we'd love to see you at the Community Lounge! Hosted by members of our Community team, it's a great place to connect, meet some Microsoft executives, and get a sticker or two. And if you're an MVP there are some special opportunities to meet up!     The Community Lounge is more than just a space—it's a hub of activity, collaboration, and camaraderie. So, dive in, explore, and make the most of your Microsoft Ignite experience by immersing yourself in the vibrant and dynamic community that awaits you.Find out the schedule and all the details here: Community Lounge at Ignite! See you at #MSIgnite!    

Users online (2,047)