Using PowerAutomate to Split and combine an excel file

[Gelegeta86]

Hi,

I have a .xlsx file which has 3k rows and 12 column headers, one in particular I would like to use is UnitRef where there is a unique reference that appears several times down the list.

I would like to split the excel spreadsheet into multiple spreadsheets where the UnitRef is A then all A's appear in one spreadsheet and same for all the B's etc.

It would be great if i can have a flow that could split up the excel files while grouping the UnitRef.

Kind Regards

[Gelegeta86]

So after some research I was able to find a similar question / solution which helped to some degree HOWEVER the issue I am now having is the formatting.

This is what my xlsx (input file) file looks like:

However when I run the flow i get an outputted file but the column formatting is set to a number as opposed to a date time format. I tried using custom format on that column in the master but to no success, is there anyway to do this; also the background is all white as opposed to individual lines, like an excel spreadsheet would look.

[Gelegeta86]

OK so actually found a different way to do this thanks to @DamoBird365  where the data is split into multiple worksheets then using Power Automate I am almost able to split those worksheets into multiple Workbooks HOWEVER i am having one issue when following his guide, when i attempt to use the Delete Worksheet script and add a dynamic value from the filter array it creates a new 'Apply to each loop' 

[DamoBird365]

Hi @Gelegeta86 

Remove the 2nd apply to each, re-add the script action, insert the output from the filter array as input to the script action and then double check you are using the id from the create file.  Then when you insert the output from the filter array action, make sure you have pressed the small icon to switch to text mode so it accepts an array (in your case the sheets to delete).

Cheers
Damien

Please take a look and subscribe to my YouTube Channel for more Power Platform ideas and concepts. Thanks

[Gelegeta86]

Hiya, Thank you for responding,

Just found the weirdest issue, when I reduced the size of the browser it showed 'Body' and 'item' however when i change it to full screen it just shows 'item'.

[DamoBird365]

Hi @Gelegeta86 

I see exactly what you mean.  Very strange.  It would explain your apply to each though.  As flow will create a loop when item is inserted as it will loop through each item in the body of your array. 

Hopefully that is you up and running?

Cheers
Damien

Please take a look and subscribe to my YouTube Channel for more Power Platform ideas and concepts. Thanks

[Gelegeta86]

It ran however I have this error when attempting to delete the worksheets, any ideas?

[DamoBird365]

Hi @Gelegeta86 

You'll need to check your filter array - it is empty.

Damien

[Gelegeta86]

Hiya,

So this is the filter array how it's been set up

After i ran it i get the following:

however when I check the delete script it doesn't pull through any worksheets

This is the excel script for it 

function main(workbook: ExcelScript.Workbook,

  SheetsToDelete: Array<string> = [],

) {

  //for each of the worksheets in the array

  for (let worksheet of SheetsToDelete) {

    //delete the worksheet

    workbook.getWorksheet(worksheet).delete();

  }

  //get current worksheets in workbook

  let sheets = workbook.getWorksheets();

  let names = sheets.map((sheet) => sheet.getName());

  //return the number of sheets left

  return (names.length)

}

[DamoBird365]

Hi @Gelegeta86 

Based on those images, I would guess that the output of the filter array is blank, for each loop (1->5) you should have a filter array output of 4 sheets.  Please check the setup of the condition on your filter array action.

Then for your run script, I notice you have an array in an array.  [   []   ].  You will need to make sure you switch the input to entire array (and the add new item button will disappear).

Cheers
Damien

Please take a look and subscribe to my YouTube Channel for more Power Platform ideas and concepts. Thanks

[Gelegeta86]

You're right, i can display an input but no output on my filter array

any advice why this might be happening, 

[DamoBird365]

Hi @Gelegeta86 

I've got a blog post about it here Excel File Tricks with PowerAutomate (pnp.github.io)

I think you have something like current item equal current item.

You need item() is not equal to current item.  We'll get there.

Damien 😉 

[Gelegeta86]

Hi Damien,

Thank you for your reply, I think i spent a day watching your videos and reading your blogs as this is excatly what i'm after.

I have item() is not equal to current item:

I think i've watched your tutorial on Youtube about 10 times so far to see what i missed but can't figure it out.

[DamoBird365]

@Gelegeta86 

Hover your mouse over the green item pill, I wonder if you’ve got some thing else in there? It should just be item() and nothing else.

If it’s correct, try removing and rebuilding the filter array.

Damien

[Gelegeta86]

[DamoBird365]

Hi @Gelegeta86 

It needs to be item() and you have items('apply_to_each')

The expression in advanced mode would be @not(equals(item(), items('Apply_to_each'))) you should then start seeing output in the filter array history.

Damien

[Gelegeta86]

one step closer, this is the error I'm getting 

[DamoBird365]

Hi @Gelegeta86 

I suspect you still have add new item (bottom left).  You need to remove the value, click on switch to input entire array and then re-insert the dynamic value.

Cheers
Damien

Please take a look and subscribe to my YouTube Channel for more Power Platform ideas and concepts. Thanks

[Gelegeta86]

It worked!! Thank you ever so much for your support on this...you're amazing!

[DamoBird365]

Hi @Gelegeta86 

Have fun 👍

Damien