Sample - build a string from compose output values in apply-to-each.

[yoshihirok]

I want to share how to build a string from compose outsput values in apply-to-each.

My scenario:

 In Apply-to-each, create new value for each item,

 After Apply-to-each, build a string by collecting new values.

 Like, Get Database records, Create new digest title from each record, After send a summarize mail by collecting the new digest titles.

Sample:

1. Compose: "@CeateArray(1,2,3,4,5)"

2. Apply to each

  2-1. Compose2: item

3. Compose:"@join(outputs('Compose2'), ',')"

Regards,

Yoshihiro Kawabata

[v-micsh-msft · Accepted solution]

Hi @yoshihirok,

Thanks for the sharing!

Appreciated.

Regards,

Michael

[Anonymous]

Hi @yoshihirok,

I'm trying to build the workflow with quit the same funtionality, but every time I add a new action to join the texts, the "join action" wraps with "reapet with each" and as output I receive several join's. Could you suggest how to turn off auto addition of "repeat with each"?

Kind regards,

Mikhail

[Anonymous]

I've realized that Join action has some different use, so used Compose intiad and it worked.

[yoshihirok]

Hi, @Anonymous

I will re-create new Flow in this Flow Build, and reply any result.

and I post a Idea related do it.

Append a string to string type variable
https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Flow-Ideas/Append-a-string-to-string-type-variable/idi-p/46198

for more flexibility flow.

Regards,

Yoshihiro Kawabata

[yoshihirok]

Hi @Anonymous

I don't understand your cause of problem,

Try Compose with Join expression instead of Data Operations - Join action.

Instead of any help, I post a flow on today created.

1. Trigger: Schedule - Recurrence

2. Action: Data Operations - Compose

  Name = Compose

  Inputs = [ CreateArray(1,2,3) ]

3. Apply to each

3-1. Action: Data Operations - Compose

  Name = Compose 2

  Inputs = [ item() ]

4. Action: Data Operations - Compose

  Name = Compose 3

  Inputs = [ Join(outputs('Compose_2'), ', ') ]

5. Action: Microsoft Teams - Post message

  Message = [ Compose 3 - Output ]

This flow output "1,2,3".

-- [ <blue> ] is Expression.

-- [ <Purple> ] is Dynamic Content.

Regards,

Yoshihiro Kawabata

[yoshihirok]

Hi @Anonymous

I post a idea related your problem.

"Data Operations - Join don't need 'Apply to each' flow. "

https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Flow-Ideas/Data-Operations-Join-don-t-need-Apply-to-each-flow/idi-p/53382

Yes, 'Data Operations - Join' does NOT need 'Apply to each'.

Workaround, Can you use 'Join' expression Instead 'Data Operations - Join'

Regards,

Yoshihiro Kawabata

[Anonymous]

Hi @yoshihirok,

Thank you so much. I appreciate you help.

Now I understand that Join action can't be used in this situation. This is nothing I can find about it in the documentation and in which cases it can be used for.

Kind regards,

Mikhail

[ParthaT]

Hi Yoshihiro

Thanks for the suggestion.

In some complex flow (with nested apply to each for example), using a compose defined inside a apply-to outside its scope is not allowed. For instance the compose 3-1 scope is only restricted 3. Using it in 4 does not work always (in my case with nested apply to each)

3. Apply to each

3-1. Action: Data Operations - Compose

  Name = Compose 2

  Inputs = [ item() ]

4. Action: Data Operations - Compose

  Name = Compose 3

  Inputs = [ Join(outputs('Compose_2'), ', ') ]

With the recent support for "Append to Array variable" action, we can perhaps replace this with a different flow

2. Initialize TemporaryArray - array variable

3. Apply to each

3-1 Action: Append to array variable

Name= TemporaryArray

Value= [ item() ]

4. Compose

Expression: Join(variables('TemporaryArray'),';')

5. result we need is in Output('Compose')