Hi there,
I'm a brand new user to Power Automate / Flow and have been using it to experiment creating different basic flows over the past week.
I've managed to create a multi-step approval flow that calls on 2 approvers to approve a document that resides in a "Draft" folder. Both must approve before the document is then automatically moved to an "Approved" folder. I create a separate flow that automatically converts documents into a PDF in a specified folder.
What I want to do is somehow combine the 2 flows together so that once a document is approved by both users and automatically moved to the designated folder (Approved), it is then automatically converted into a PDF immediately in that folder, all in one step.
I tried recreating the document-to-PDF conversion flow within the multi-step approval flow with no success. I'm still trying to understand how Power Automate works and learn what the different actions and triggers mean. So I don't know if I'm missing anything, or if combining the two flows together is simply not possible. Any help for this noob would be much appreciated!
Eddie
Doc-to-PDF Flow
Multi-Step Approval (with Doc-to-PDF) Flow
Solved! Go to Solution.
Hello @Mycrosoft ,
when you hover on the dynamic content, does it have the correct outputs(...)? It should be always the previous action.
Hello @Mycrosoft ,
the content approval must always follow the same order of statuses: Draft -> Pending (in PA I think it's called Submit) -> Approved/Rejected.
Draft can be switched only to Pending, and only Pending can be switched to Approved/Rejected.
Keep in mind that every update in the item/document will change the status back to Draft, therefore, if you're updating the item/document, you'll need 2 actions to 'Set content approval status', one to change it from Draft into Pending and another one to change it from Pending to Approved.
Hello @Mycrosoft ,
on the first look your flow looks fine, what problem does it have?
The only issue I can now imagine is that in the 'Get file properties 2' you must use output of the 'Move file' action, not from the trigger. The file is moved at that moment so it's not in the original location under the original ID.
Thanks for replying, @tom_riha. After a file is approved, it automatically moves from the 'Draft' folder to the 'Approved' folder without any issues. Once it is in the 'Approved' folder, however, nothing happens. The document doesn't automatically convert to a PDF. To your point of using the output of the 'Move file' action instead of the original location, what would be the appropriate dynamic content action to use? Below is what I have at the moment. I've tried a few different options in the 'Get file properties' and 'Get file content' with no success. The answer is probably obvious but somehow it's eluded me!
Multi-step approval
It doesn't return any error? All the actions have green checkbox, but nothing happens?
@tom_riha , there is an error in the Condition (action failed) as a result of an error under the 'Get file content' action. I tried different actions in "Get file content' but nothing seems to work. I don't know why I didn't post the error earlier! Here is the screenshot:
Error
@Mycrosoft I'd check the dynamic content you use in the actions, you can hover on it to see which action outputs it is. In 'Get file properties' it should be the 'ItemId' from 'Move file' (as the description says "...used to Get or Update file properties...").
In 'Get file content' it should be 'Identifier' from the 'Get file properties' above it (in your case 'Get file properties 2').
Thanks for the input, @tom_riha. It just so happens that, after sending the original screenshot of the flow, among the different action combinations I tried next were ItemId and Identifier under Get file properties and Get file content, respectively, and it didn't work. Am I missing some extra action after the file is moved from one folder to another?
Hello @Mycrosoft ,
when you hover on the dynamic content, does it have the correct outputs(...)? It should be always the previous action.
@tom_riha that did the trick! I hovered over each action's dynamic content to check the outputs and found a few that were pointing to the wrong action (i.e., the earlier action and not the immediately previous one, such as Get file properties when it should have been Get file properties 2). I don't know why I never looked closer into the outputs. It's so obvious now, LOL. Clearly I have a lot to learn! Maybe it's time I check out your blog for Power Automate solutions for rookies like me. Thanks again!! 🤗
@tom_riha , Hi Tom (or anyone out there). So after being able to convert a document to a PDF that's been moved from one folder to another as per the flow shown in my previous posts above, I'd like to set the flow where it automatically changes the Approval Status column from "Draft" or "Pending" to "Approved". I've been playing around with the "Set Content Approval Status" action and created a separate flow that can do this (see attached image). However, I'm not sure how to integrate it into my existing flow. I've watched a few video tutorials for help and so far nothing's come up. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Changing Approval Status column
Hello @Mycrosoft ,
the content approval must always follow the same order of statuses: Draft -> Pending (in PA I think it's called Submit) -> Approved/Rejected.
Draft can be switched only to Pending, and only Pending can be switched to Approved/Rejected.
Keep in mind that every update in the item/document will change the status back to Draft, therefore, if you're updating the item/document, you'll need 2 actions to 'Set content approval status', one to change it from Draft into Pending and another one to change it from Pending to Approved.
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!
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
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.
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!
This is the eighth 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! This Week: All About Subscriptions & Notifications Subscribing to a CategorySubscribing to a TopicSubscribing to a LabelBookmarksManaging & Viewing your Subscriptions & BookmarksA Note on Following Friends on Mobile Subscriptions ensure that you receive automated messages about the most recent posts and replies. There are multiple ways you can subscribe to content and boards in the community! (Please note: if you have created an AAD (Azure Active Directory) account you won't be able to receive e-mail notifications.) Subscribing to a Category When you're looking at the entire category, select from the Options drop down and choose Subscribe. You can then choose to Subscribe to all of the boards or select only the boards you want to receive notifications. When you're satisfied with your choices, click Save. Subscribing to a Topic You can also subscribe to a single topic by clicking Subscribe from the Options drop down menu, while you are viewing the topic or in the General board overview, respectively. Subscribing to a Label You can find the labels at the bottom left of a post.From a particular post with a label, click on the label to filter by that label. This opens a window containing a list of posts with the label you have selected. Click Subscribe. Note: You can only subscribe to a label at the board level. If you subscribe to a label named 'Copilot' at board #1, it will not automatically subscribe you to an identically named label at board #2. You will have to subscribe twice, once at each board. Bookmarks Just like you can subscribe to topics and categories, you can also bookmark topics and boards from the same menus! Simply go to the Topic Options drop down menu to bookmark a topic or the Options drop down to bookmark a board. The difference between subscribing and bookmarking is that subscriptions provide you with notifications, whereas bookmarks provide you a static way of easily accessing your favorite boards from the My subscriptions area. Managing & Viewing Your Subscriptions & Bookmarks To manage your subscriptions, click on your avatar and select My subscriptions from the drop-down menu. From the Subscriptions & Notifications tab, you can manage your subscriptions, including your e-mail subscription options, your bookmarks, your notification settings, and your email notification format. You can see a list of all your subscriptions and bookmarks and choose which ones to delete, either individually or in bulk, by checking multiple boxes. A Note on Following Friends on Mobile Adding someone as a friend or selecting Follow in the mobile view does not allow you to subscribe to their activity feed. You will merely be able to see your friends’ biography, other personal information, or online status, and send messages more quickly by choosing who to send the message to from a list, as opposed to having to search by username.
This is the seventh 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: Resources for User Groups Once you've launched your Community User Group, we are excited to have many resources available that can help you lead, engage, and grow your User Group! Whether it's access to the Microsoft Community Tenant for User Groups, help with finding speakers for your User Group meetings (both local and virtual speakers), and even finding spaces to have your meetings in--we have the resources you need to make your User Group experience be the best it can be! Microsoft Community Tenant Community Tenant is a free platform where User Group leaders can host virtual events using the Microsoft Teams platform, engage with their communities, share resources, collaborate with fellow organizers, and gain access to best practices and resources. Find out everything you need to know--and how to get started! Just follow the link: Accessing the Microsoft Community Tenant - Power Platform CommunityNeed Help Finding a Speaker or a Space?We happily provide assistance to our User Groups in finding speakers and rooms for your meetings. Simply fill out the request forms below with as much detail and information as possible, and we will do our best to provide you with the assistance you need! Speaker Requests: https://aka.ms/UGSpeakerOptionsRoom Requests: https://aka.ms/UGroomrequest Monthly Featured User Group--And User Group Leader We share a featured User Group AND a featured User Group leader here in the community every month. It's our way of sharing how excited we are for what the User Groups are doing around the world and an appreciation for the hard-working leaders who help make them happen. Nominate a User Group doing great work--or a great User Group leader--today! Nomination Form: https://aka.ms/NominateandshareUG
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