Delete Folder Sharepoint ?

[charafRef]

Hello everyone ,

There is a way to delete a folder in a SharePoint library with MS Flow ? I can delete files insides the folder but i'm not able to delete the folder. 

Thank you for your feedback ! 

[v-yamao-msft · Accepted solution]

Hi charafRef,

Currently, Flow has an action that can be used to “Delete file” in a folder, but there is no action “Delete folder” can be used to delete a folder in SharePoint library.

On the Flow Ideas Forum, there is no similar request, please consider submit a new idea at here, I will help collect and report it on my side:
https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Flow-Ideas/idb-p/FlowIdeas

Best regards,
Mabel Mao

[WonderLaura]

You can use the SharePoint "Delete item" action instead of delete file.  Just type in the name of your library as a custom value in the list picker drop-down in the action.

[rjhale]

@WonderLaura.  Could you explain how that would work?  It looks like I need to provide the List Name and ID of the object.  I'm not sure what I would put in either of those fields given that I'm trying to delete a folder out of a document library.  

I also tried using the HTTP post, but ran into problems with that approach as well.  I get an error message stating 

"The type SP.FolderCollection does not support HTTP DELETE method.\r\nclientRequestId:"  I wonder if I'm not allowed to use the api call to delete folders out of a SharePoint librarary?  

Any help would be much appreciated.  Thanks. 

[magikbus]

@rjhale  I was able to get @WonderLaura's suggestion to work. You need to use the get folder metadata action to get the folder Id, then when you use the delete item action select the site address, enter the library name as a custom value, and then select the ItemId option from the Get Folder Metadata action.

[rjhale]

@magikbus  Yeah.  I believe we did get this to work in our environment.  Thanks for asking. 

[rjhale]

@magikbus  Yeah.  I believe we did get this to work in our environment.  Thanks for asking. 

[shawnfielding]

So close, but I am not able to get the folder to delete.  I keep getting a 404 List not found when I use the custom value for list.  I am able to get the ID of the folder I want to delete.  And the folder name is correct in the list name field.

[SoniaGr]

Hi @shawnfielding,  you need to use the Library Name in the list name field not the folder name!

[andeeh1974]

Anyone have a visual example for this?

[magikbus]

Screen captures are such a pain in these forums.

First thing you need to do is create a trigger from the SharePoint library. Whether that is a manual trigger, on create or modify trigger. Then you need to add the "Get folder metadata" SharePoint action to your flow. In that action select the site address, and enter the "Folder Path" from the tigger action.

Then once you have completed all other actions and you are ready to delete the folder. Insert the "Delete Item" SharePoint action into the flow. Again set the site adress. In the List Name field click the drop down arrow. You will only see your SharePoint list names show in the drop down, but at the bottom of the list you will see an option for "Enter custom value". Type in the name of your SharePoint Library. Then in the Id field select the "ItemId" field from the Get folder metadata action. And that's it. Hope this helps

[andeeh1974]

@magikbus  I know screenshots are a pain. 

Your explanation is what I did after reading this thread initially.  I was able to get the ItemID so I know that it is at least identifying the correct item to delete.  The error says the list is not found (it is a library but following the suggestion above, was certain I could still use the library). 

I added a screenshot of what I have configured for this piece.  Any help is appreciated!

"status": 404,
"message": "List Not Found\r\nclientRequestId: 5150c4cd-6e77-468e-8b7c-e3e255eb78ca\r\nserviceRequestId: 0f1ccd9e-8013-8000-8f19-3eeb739e3003" 

[magikbus]

andeeh that's because you are using the wrong get folder metadata action. There are two different options

"Get folder metadata" 

"Get folder metadata using path"

You want to use the latter

[andeeh1974]

Good morning @magikbus and @WonderLaura , 

I have my solution in place and it gets the ItemID of the folder but when it gets to the Delete ELM item (folder) it bombs because it says the list is not found.  Email Letters and Memos is a library not a list.  But one of the other contributors to this thread from MS said that all we need do is enter it as a custom value.  I tried the one you see in the screenshot as well as this format for List Name:  /Email Letters and Memos/varFullName.  Neither worked.  

I'm attaching my Flow and the results for your reference.  

Here is the flow error details: 

List Not Found 
clientRequestId: <guid>
serRequestId: <guid>

Thanks for your assistance!

Andee

[magikbus]

andeeh that first action you have shown, you shouldn't need to use the Expression formula to enter the folder path. Just select the "Folder Path" option from the Dynamic Content of whatever the first first step your workflow is. It will be the step that triggers the workflow to run. There should only be the Dynamic Content from the trigger in that "Folder Path" field. Compare my screen shot to yours and you will see the difference.

For me it is the "when a file is created" trigger

[ditchital]

Hi, I am a power automate / Sharepoint rookie so please forgive any comments/suggestions I make which might make more experienced developers shake their heads in disbelief.

I also have had the unfortunate task of trying to delete folders/subfolders and filed from a Sharepoint document library in one swoop via Power Automate (Workflow). One solution I found which is not great but sufferable is this:

1. Create a separate target document library, let's call it 'backup' but it could be  anything.

2. Make sure this library has at least the same versioning level as the library you wish to delete folders and files from.

3. In your workflow carry out a 'Move Folder' operation from the source library to the target library (use replace option).

This should remove the folder from source lib and place it in target lib.

The target lib can be periodically cleaned up using Explorer in the Classic View or maybe even just deleted (if compnay policy allows it) and then recreated.

[ditchital]

forgot to mention, if you move a root folder, all subfolders and files are moved too!

[John_Dang]

Hi guys,

It worked well in my test. You can type in "Documents" in list name. This is the base folder and all the files/folders will be inside it.

[sylwir06]

Hi!

Sorry for rising the dead, but this does not work anymore:

How do I delete folders now?

[TC416]

I am trying to automate a nightly clean up of files and folders that are older than xx days.  I tried applying this approach by adding "Apply to Each" control in front.  However, "Apply to each" does not provide an array "value" output.  Can you suggest a possible solution?
Much appreciate any suggestions/advice.

Update (2023/07/11) - nevermind my previous question. Issue resolved.