automatically create flow for new user folder structure

[jhalk123]

Hi guys,

Have a question,

Scenario: User 1 creates a folder in the documents library on sharepoint for a new employee named Jane, they then go into Jane's folder and have to create 3 sub folders.

Everytime a new employee joins the same process needs to be repeated.

Is there a way where you can create a flow that by everytime a new folder is created in a document library that within that folder 3 sub folders are copied into it or created.

I have setup a flow to copy folders from a library to another library when a new item is created but I need it to reside WITHIN the new folder and not just create 3 more folders on the home directory.

Is there a way to do this?

[v-duann-msft]

Hi @jhalk123

Thank you for posting.

According to your description, you would like to copy folder to another library and create several subfolders inside. If any misunderstanding, please kindly let me know.

If that’s the case, please refer below flow steps.

Once tested, the created folder(Folder name equals to John here) will be copied to another library and three new subfolders created as well.

Hope the content above may help you.

Best regards,

Anna

[jhalk123]

Hi Anna,

Thanks for this, so kind of...

Basically we want a flow of the following scenario

I go create a new folder in location TEST\DOC

I call that folder Samantha

In that new folder Samantha it would then automatically create 3 sub folders called test1 test2 test3

the next day i would create another folder called Brett in the location TEST\DOC

it would then automatically create 3 subfolders within BRETT called test1 test2 test3

Am i making sense? haha

[v-duann-msft]

Hi @jhalk123

Thank you for your update.

So based on your explanation, the test1/test2/test3 folders are located in the same folder and they are in parallel.

Please pay attention to folder location here. The subfolders can't be created under 'TEST\DOC'. Otherwise, it will cause infinite looping issue. Thus, I add a 'copy folder' action to copy the original folder to another location and then create subfolders under new location.

If that’s the case, we can modify flow as below:

In yes branch:

After testing, I’m able to get the three subfolders.

Hope it helps.

Best regards,

Anna

[jhalk123]

Ok,

But if the document library structure is such of

H1\Clients

and then everytime we create a new folder in clients - eg: John 

In John those 3 subfolders will be automatically created?

or is that going to cause an infinite loop? Also...do you have to edit the flow of the name every single time or does the Name field just generate from whatever is created folder wise?

[v-duann-msft]

Hi @jhalk123 

In John those 3 subfolders will be automatically created?

Yes, if we configure flow like that, the three subfolders will be generated automatically. You can configure to check result.

or is that going to cause an infinite loop?

If we set up to make subfolders created under 'H1\Clients\username', it will cause looping issue. Because this location is still within the trigger scope.

For example, If we first manually create a folder called 'Brett' under 'H1\Clients'. So the folder path will be like 'H1\Clients\Brett'. Then flow goes and create subfolder test1/2/3. When flow creates test1, The flow detect a new folder created under 'H1\Clients' and it starts again for folder test1, That's why I recommend we can change to another folder path as destination.

do you have to edit the flow of the name every single time or does the Name field just generate from whatever is created folder wise?

The main folder is created by user manually. What we need to do is just replace the site address/ folder location and the subfolder name in the flow. 

If this solution can't achieve your purpose, I'm afraid it's impossible to do that using flow.

Best regards,

Anna

[jhalk123]

or is that going to cause an infinite loop?

If we set up to make subfolders created under 'H1\Clients\username', it will cause looping issue. Because this location is still within the trigger scope.

For example, If we first manually create a folder called 'Brett' under 'H1\Clients'. So the folder path will be like 'H1\Clients\Brett'. Then flow goes and create subfolder test1/2/3. When flow creates test1, The flow detect a new folder created under 'H1\Clients' and it starts again for folder test1, That's why I recommend we can change to another folder path as destination.

---

So would this only work in a hierachy in a document library eg: Clients (Document Library) 

and not H1\Clients

In other words the document library must not sit within a current folder structure but must be the top of the structure yes?

[v-duann-msft]

Hi @jhalk123 

Yes, you are correct! 😀

Best regards,

Anna

[jhalk123]

Hi Anna,

Having an issue with creating this, it didnt seem to work and not sure where i went wrong

attached are screenshots of my setup, the only difference i can see in my setup vs yours is that on the first step i have clients as the folder and its not blank like yours? would that make the difference?

The "Clients" folder is located on the root of the shared documents library, the idea as mentioned is a person creates a folder within clients and that subsequently creates 3 sub folders within it.

Thanks in advance 

[v-duann-msft]

Hi @jhalk123 

Thank you for your attempts.

Based on your flow, here is how your flow goes:

1.Seems you would like to trigger when new file created in 'Clients' folder only;

2.Then, you copy this folder in 'Clients' folder again with a new name;

3.After that, you create another two folders at the same folder level as 'Clients'. 

The step 2 may cause looping issue. Because when we copy file again in the 'Clients', the flow will go again forever.

Best regards,

Anna

[jhalk123]

So how do i resolve this Anna? @v-duann-msft 

[jhalk123]

Hi @v-duann-msft 

Any help regarding this would be appreciated...running out of time now to get this sorted.

Thanks in advance!!