Move the Same File Twice within Sharepoint Site in a single Flow Instance

[jvk892]

Hi,

I am currently working on a sequential Approval Process Flow. I have the main bits figured as far the sequential approval generation and email notifications but I'm having a consistent issue moving the file for approval a 2nd time once it has already been moved by the flow.

General High Level what I want is for the flow is as follows:

1st Move -Preparer uploads file to specific Sharepoint folder (To be Approved Folder).This would trigger the file just uploaded for approval to be moved to a separate folder within Sharepoint which the original preparer does not have access rights (Reviewer 1 Queue). 

2nd Move- After this is completed the first reviewer would be notified via email and go to the Reviewer 1 Queue Folder and review the corresponding file and then approve the file. From there I need the approval to trigger the file moved again to a 2nd reviewer's folder (Reviewer 2 Queue).  The 2nd reviewer would be notified via email review the file in their queue and then approve.

3rd Move -After the 2nd approval, I would want the file moved to the 4th and final folder- Final Approved Files. 

The first move always works when I sent up a flow. After that the first move the flows always fails trying to perform the 2nd move. I can no longer use the File Identifier for the flow to grab the file because it keeps going back to the initial location. Is there a way to do what I am asking in single flow?

[fchopo]

Hello @jvk892 

Before executing the "Move File 2" action, you should get the item from the new location. So, you could use the action "Get File metadata using path", using the site address and the new file path. After that, you can use the id to copy the file:

Hope it helps!

Ferran 

[jvk892]

I'm looking at this now. If I use file path then the flow will ask me for a specific file name. The file name really needs to be Dynamic. Because in practice there will be multiple items for approval in the queues at once. And which file is needed to be grabbed is dependent on the initial file that triggered the flow.  So I cannot really have the flow grab the same named file each time. Is there a way to make the get file dynamic? 

[fchopo]

Hello @jvk892 ,

The file path can be dynamic. Have look at this thread: https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Building-Flows/Error-404-with-Get-file-metadata-using-path/td-p/...

Hope it helps!

Ferran

[alrez]

Hi,

I was able to get this working in my test environment by running the attached flow. It should be a fairly similar set up in your environment. If the move action doesnt work, you would always do the copy action and delete the file after.

Regards,

Alex

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Community Support Team _ Alex Rezac
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[jvk892]

Thanks fchopo!

Between your help and this post : https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Building-Flows/Get-File-Content-from-OndDrive-with-dynamic-file-...

I was able to figure out a solution using the concat function and using the file name as variable in the function to make a dynamic file path. 

[jsalbeck]

Hello, 

I'm trying to do the exact same thing as you but unable to figure out the dynamic file path portion. I was looking at the 2 mentioned threads but still not understanding. Would you be able to help?

[fchopo]

Hi @jsalbeck 

Could you share your flow and where you are stuck at?

Ferran

[jsalbeck]

Unsure where to put variable and concat function so I can get "Move File 2" to work

[fchopo]

Hi @jsalbeck 

Add a compose action inside the yes branch, and inside that compose, use the concat function, etc... The ouput of that action should be used in the Move File action.

Hope it helps!

Ferran

[jsalbeck]

Thanks for your response on this! Would you be able to be more specific? I'm new to using functions, basically have never used them before, and this is the only forum I've found regarding moving a file twice with Power Automate.

[PMCVieira]

Hello,

I have the same problem, I am trying to move a file twice and at the 2nd 'move file' action using Identifier, the system tries to find the file in the first location.

I think the explanations in this thread are not solving the issue.

Anybody can solve this?

Thank you.

[jsalbeck]

Can you post a picture of your flow? I was actually able to solve it, just took some trial and error.

[PMCVieira]

Hello @jsalbeck , thank you for your time.

Screenshot: 

[jsalbeck]

No problem! What I did to get it to work was this - For the first Move File put "File path" for dynamic content and for the second Move File put "Path" for dynamic content but make sure you're using "Path" from the first Move File. I just tested my flow to confirm it works and it did.

[PMCVieira]

Hello @jsalbeck ,

Unfortunately you didn't put a screenshot from your flow. I am not getting...

In the first move I don't have 'File Path" available to choose. Why?