cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
Reply
Willo
Helper II
Helper II

Using a flow to extract email body details

Hello, 

 

Is there a way to leverage a flow to pull out email body and subject details without using a third party service? I'm looking to move details from an email into a sharepoint list.

 

Thank you

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION

Accepted Solutions
v-yamao-msft
Community Support
Community Support

Hi @Willo,

 

Yes, it could be achieved by using WDL function in flow.

 

Say your email body would be always the following format:

1.PNG

 

Then you could create a flow likes below. In this case, I will show how to extract the subject from the email body, please take it for a reference.

 

The flow is triggered by When a new email arrives, then convert the email body from Html to text.

 

In action Compose, use the code to get the total length of the body:

length(body('Html_to_text'))

In Compose2, use the following code:

add(indexOf(body('Html_to_text'),'Subject'),9)

In compose3, use the following code:

indexOf(body('Html_to_text'),'Start time')

In Compose4, use the following code:

substring(body('Html_to_text'),outputs('Compose_2'),sub(outputs('Compose_3'),outputs('Compose_2')))

 

It works fine and the subject can be extracted from the email body successfully.

2.PNG3.PNG

 

More details about the functions at here:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/logic-apps/workflow-definition-language-functions-reference

 

 

Best regards,

Mabel Mao

Community Support Team _ Mabel Mao
If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

View solution in original post

15 REPLIES 15
v-yamao-msft
Community Support
Community Support

Hi @Willo,

 

Yes, it could be achieved by using WDL function in flow.

 

Say your email body would be always the following format:

1.PNG

 

Then you could create a flow likes below. In this case, I will show how to extract the subject from the email body, please take it for a reference.

 

The flow is triggered by When a new email arrives, then convert the email body from Html to text.

 

In action Compose, use the code to get the total length of the body:

length(body('Html_to_text'))

In Compose2, use the following code:

add(indexOf(body('Html_to_text'),'Subject'),9)

In compose3, use the following code:

indexOf(body('Html_to_text'),'Start time')

In Compose4, use the following code:

substring(body('Html_to_text'),outputs('Compose_2'),sub(outputs('Compose_3'),outputs('Compose_2')))

 

It works fine and the subject can be extracted from the email body successfully.

2.PNG3.PNG

 

More details about the functions at here:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/logic-apps/workflow-definition-language-functions-reference

 

 

Best regards,

Mabel Mao

Community Support Team _ Mabel Mao
If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.
GabrielStJohn
Community Champion
Community Champion

Hello, @Willo!

 

Thank you for posting on the Flow Community Forum! Have you had an opportunity to apply @v-yamao-msft‘s recommendation to adapt your Flow? If yes, and you find that solution to be satisfactory, please go ahead and click “Accept as Solution” so that this thread will be marked for other users to easily identify!


Thank you for being an active member of the Flow Community!

 

-Gabriel
Flow Community Manager

- Gabriel
Community Manager
Power Automate | Power Virtual Agents
Super User Program Manager



Could you explain how you then create the list itemfrom the extracted text items?  This was the OP's original aim, and we have a similar problem.

 

Regards

I was able to do this by making sure I had a connection for SharePoint online in my connectors.

 

Then I selected after "compose 4", Create Item for SharePoint, then by putting in the address of the site in SharePoint online, then selecting the list,

 

Then used the dynamic content selector to get the output for Compose 4

 

 

Annotation 2019-10-15 163540.png

 

Hi @v-yamao-msft ,

 

I know this is quite an old post but i hope you will be able to help. Could you explain each of the various compose steps? I'm especially curios why you have a 9 in compose 2?

 

Seeing this is quite old is there any new and better ways to do this without a third party services of course.

Hi @dee2005 

 


@dee2005 wrote:

Hi @v-yamao-msft ,

 

I know this is quite an old post but i hope you will be able to help. Could you explain each of the various compose steps? I'm especially curios why you have a 9 in compose 2?

 

Seeing this is quite old is there any new and better ways to do this without a third party services of course.


I supposed that @v-yamao-msft ha used 9 because if you see, you have "Subject" plus ":" plus " " (blank space), so the total characters are 9.

 

--

Regards

Marco

@v-yamao-msft  So the problem I am facing is :  I am getting an email , in email 's body i am getting an email address"  , I need to extract that . Can you suggest something?

astampf
Frequent Visitor

and by using the "TRIM" expression, this even works when using a table within the html-email-message!

you would need to identify the start and the end of your email address. maybe seach for the "@" and the nearest "space" before and after this string?

What if there is a space or a line before the data?  

ItemStock Number Unit PriceDetail TotalStudent ID Card 4182246$0.00$0.00ID
Number: 10000000      Subtotal:$0.00   Shipping:$1.00   Tax:$0.00   Total:$1.00

This worked awesome! Thanks!  
Appreciate the screenshots as well!

Anonymous
Not applicable

@v-yamao-msft thanks, this helped me a lot. A couple of questions though
- what is the purpose of the total length of the body in the first Compose action?

- how can I find the index of a string that is between newline characters? There are two instances of the same search string in my email body, I need the second one, which is '\nMySearchString\n' not just 'MySearchString', but with \n it returns the index of the first newline character it finds. I ended up adding 158 characters to the first index rather than searching for the second.

- would there be any advantage in using variables to store the result of the expressions?

Hello,

 Do you have some exemples, for insert this informations in the excel?

@v-yamao-msft ,

 

Does the "html to text (preview) step need to be added prior to the Compose actions?  It seems the *content is needed for that action, yet nothing was provided in your example flow.    can you clarify if its needed and what goes in the html to text content?   

 

ninjaryder1st_0-1668543920918.png

 

 

I don't have a nicely defined "Start Time" like your example.   My repeating email contains a bullet marker an date that changes..  anyway to compose/define this to extract date when followed by bullet in the email body?  

ninjaryder1st_1-1668544170974.png

 

 

Hey! I learned a lot about this issue, here details that are hopefully useful:

a) YES, you need Html to text whenever your source text is in html (such as an email's body) 

b) instead of IndexOf + Substring .. much better with two nested SPLITs

Details and explanations:

a) example usually: Trigger was "new email received in Mailbox"?

you need a loop [here called "apply to all emails"], but this is built automatically - don't worry.

within the HTML to Text, your source is "items('Apply_to_all_Emails')?['body']"

 

the "body" might start with something like this:

<p><html><head>\r\n<meta http-equiv=\"Content-Type\" content=\"text/html; charset=utf-8\"><meta content=\"IE=edge\"><meta name=\"viewport\" content=\"width=device-width, initial-scale=1\"><style type=\"text/css\">\r\n<!--\r\np\r\n\t{margin:10px 0;\r\n\tpadding:0}\r\ntable\r\n\t{border-collapse:collapse}\r\nh1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6\r\n\t{display:block;\r\n\tmargin:0;\r\n\tpadding:0}\r\nimg, a img\r\n\t{border:0;\r\n\theight:auto;\r\n\toutline:none;\r\n\ttext-decoration:none}\r\nbody, #bodyTable, ....... ..... <table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"mcnTextContentContainer\" width=\"100%\" style=\"min-width:100%!important; background-color:#404040\"><tbody><tr><td valign=\"top\" class=\"mcnTextContent\"  .... <span style=\"font-size:12px\">zum nachfolgenden Vorgang wurden vom zuständigen&nbsp;Underwriter der Versicherer (Demo) die Police eingereicht:</span> ...... </div></body></html></p>"
 

you might think of using "items('Apply_to_all_Emails')?['bodyPreview']"  which is "plain text" only; but at the same time, it's cut off. so not useful.

 

Using the HTML to Text step, the output (of example above) might look something like this:

 

[EXTERNAL SENDER]

Frankfurt am Main, den 17.11.22

Guten Tag,

zum nachfolgenden Vorgang wurden vom zuständigen Underwriter der Versicherer (Demo) die Police eingereicht:

 

 

b) and second comment - super elegant:

 

In my example, I want to cut out this information "in the middle:

wurden vom zuständigen Underwriter der Versicherer (Demo) die Police eingereicht

 

 

so in Compose (Verfassen), or equally when setting a Variable value, the expression is as follows:

trim(split(split(outputs('text'), 'Underwriter der')[1], 'die Police eingereicht')[0])

 

- Text before my "desired piece of information": "Underwriter der"

- Text after my "desired piece of information": "die Police eingereicht"

wurden vom zuständigen Underwriter der Versicherer (Demo) die Police eingereicht

 

-> trim(split(split(outputs('text'), 'Underwriter der')[1], 'die Police eingereicht')[0])

 

outputs('text') is simply some plain text

 

what this function does:

a) trim to get rid of needless spaces

b) split nested; first, split the text into two pieces - at 'Underwriter der'

c) [1] means: take the 2nd half of the text)

d) then put this 2nd half into another split, which is cut off at 'die Police eingereicht',

e) and take the 1st half using [0] .

 

Well.. good luck, just re-build this one formula, and good luck.

let me know if you have further questions.

astampf_1-1668736041216.png

Helpful resources

Announcements

It's #MPPC23 Week! Check Out the Community Sessions and Events Happening in Vegas

After all the planning and preparing, the annual Microsoft Power Platform Conference is finally here! We are excited to see so many of our community in Las Vegas this week. To help make sure you don't miss any of the workshops, sessions, and events we have planned, make sure to check out this handy Community One-Sheet, and download the pdf today! Make sure to stop by the Community Lounge to meet @hugobernier, @EricArcher, @heaher_italent, and @AshleyFelts from our team!    

Join Us for the First-Ever Biz Apps Community User Group Meeting: Live from MPPC23

      Join us for the first-ever the Biz Apps Community User Group meeting live from the Power Platform Conference! This one hour user group meeting is all about discovering the value and benefits of User Groups! Discover how you can find a group in your local area or about specific topics where you can learn new skills and meet like-minded people as a user group member.   Hear from User Group leaders about why they do what they do and what resources they receive to help them succeed as community ambassadors. If you have never attended a User Group meeting before, this will be a great introduction! We hope you are inspired to find a group that meets your unique interests!   October 5th at 2:15 pm Pacific time   If you're attending #MPPC23 in Las Vegas, join us in person! Find out more here: https://powerplatformconf.com/#!/session/Biz%20Apps%20Community%20User%20Group%20Meeting%20-%20Live%20from%20MPPC/6172   Not at MPPC23? Attend vvirtually by registering here: https://aka.ms/MPPCusergroupmeeting2023    If you can't attend this meeting live, don't worry! We will record this meeting and share it with the Community at powerusers.microsoft.com 

Back to Basics: Tuesday Tip #1: All About YOUR Community Account

We are excited to kick off our new #TuesdayTIps series, "Back to Basics." This weekly series is our way of 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 will feature new areas of 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's Tips: Account Support: Changing Passwords, Changing Email Addresses or Usernames, "Need Admin Approval," Etc.Wondering how to get support for your community account? Check out the details on these common questions and more. Just follow the link below for articles that explain it all.Community Account Support - Power Platform Community (microsoft.com)   All About GDPR: How It Affects Closing Your Community Account (And Why You Should Think Twice Before You Do)GDPR, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), took effect May 25th 2018. A European privacy law, GDPR imposes new rules on companies and other organizations offering goods and services to people in the European Union (EU), or that collect and analyze data tied to EU residents. GDPR applies no matter where you are located, and it affects what happens when you decide to close your account. Read the details here:All About GDPR - Power Platform Community (microsoft.com)   Getting to Know You: Setting Up Your Community Profile, Customizing Your Profile, and More.Your community profile helps other members of the community get to know you as you begin to engage and interact. Your profile is a mirror of your activity in the community. Find out how to set it up, change your avatar, adjust your time zone, and more. Click on the link below to find out how:Community Profile, Time Zone, Picture (Avatar) & D... - Power Platform Community (microsoft.com)   That's it for this week. Tune in for more Tuesday Tips next Tuesday and join the community as we get "Back to Basics."

Announcing the MPPC's Got Power Talent Show at #MPPC23

Are you attending the Microsoft Power Platform Conference 2023 in Las Vegas? If so, we invite you to join us for the MPPC's Got Power Talent Show!      Our talent show is more than a show—it's a grand celebration of connection, inspiration, and shared journeys. Through stories, skills, and collective experiences, we come together to uplift, inspire, and revel in the magic of our community's diverse talents. This year, our talent event promises to be an unforgettable experience, echoing louder and brighter than anything you've seen before.    We're casting a wider net with three captivating categories:  Demo Technical Solutions: Show us your Power Platform innovations, be it apps, flows, chatbots, websites or dashboards... Storytelling: Share tales of your journey with Power Platform. Hidden Talents: Unveil your creative side—be it dancing, singing, rapping, poetry, or comedy. Let your talent shine!    Got That Special Spark? A Story That Demands to Be Heard? Your moment is now!  Sign up to Showcase Your Brilliance: https://aka.ms/MPPCGotPowerSignUp  Deadline for submissions: Thursday, Sept 28th    How It Works:  Submit this form to sign up: https://aka.ms/MPPCGotPowerSignUp  We'll contact you if you're selected. Get ready to be onstage!  The Spotlight is Yours: Each participant has 3-5 minutes to shine, with insightful commentary from our panel of judges. We’re not just giving you a stage; we’re handing you the platform to make your mark.     Be the Story We Tell: Your talents and narratives will not just entertain but inspire, serving as the bedrock for our community’s future stories and successes.    Celebration, Surprises, and Connections: As the curtain falls, the excitement continues! Await surprise awards and seize the chance to mingle with industry experts, Microsoft Power Platform leaders, and community luminaries. It's not just a show; it's an opportunity to forge connections and celebrate shared successes.    Event Details:  Date and Time: Wed Oct 4th, 6:30-9:00PM   Location: MPPC23 at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, NV, USA  

September User Group Success Story: Reading Dynamics 365 & Power Platform User Group

The Reading Dynamics 365 and Power Platform User Group is a community-driven initiative that started in September 2022. It has quickly earned recognition for its enthusiastic leadership and resilience in the face of challenges. With a focus on promoting learning and networking among professionals in the Dynamics 365 and Power Platform ecosystem, the group has grown steadily and gained a reputation for its commitment to its members!   The group, which had its inaugural event in January 2023 at the Microsoft UK Headquarters in Reading, has since organized three successful gatherings, including a recent social lunch. They maintain a regular schedule of four events per year, each attended by an average of 20-25 enthusiastic participants who enjoy engaging talks and, of course, pizza.   The Reading User Group's presence is primarily spread through LinkedIn and Meetup, with the support of the wider community. This thriving community is managed by a dedicated team consisting of Fraser Dear, Tim Leung, and Andrew Bibby, who serves as the main point of contact for the UK Dynamics 365 and Power Platform User Groups.   Andrew Bibby, an active figure in the Dynamics 365 and Power Platform community, nominated this group due to his admiration for the Reading UK User Group's efforts. He emphasized their remarkable enthusiasm and success in running the group, noting that they navigated challenges such as finding venues with resilience and smiles on their faces. Despite being a relatively new group with 20-30 members, they have managed to achieve high attendance at their meetings.   The group's journey began when Fraser Dear moved to the Reading area and realized the absence of a user group catering to professionals in the Dynamics 365 and Power Platform space. He reached out to Andrew, who provided valuable guidance and support, allowing the Reading User Group to officially join the UK Dynamics 365 and Power Platform User Groups community.   One of the group's notable achievements was overcoming the challenge of finding a suitable venue. Initially, their "home" was the Microsoft UK HQ in Reading. However, due to office closures, they had to seek a new location with limited time. Fortunately, a connection with Stephanie Stacey from Microsoft led them to Reading College and its Institute of Technology. The college generously offered them event space and support, forging a mutually beneficial partnership where the group promotes the Institute and encourages its members to support the next generation of IT professionals.   With the dedication of its leadership team, the Reading Dynamics 365 and Power Platform User Group is poised to continue growing and thriving! Their story exemplifies the power of community-driven initiatives and the positive impact they can have on professional development and networking in the tech industry. As they move forward with their upcoming events and collaborations with Reading College, the group is likely to remain a valuable resource for professionals in the Reading area and beyond.  

A Celebration of What We've Achieved--And Announcing Our Winners

As the sun sets on the #SummerofSolutions Challenge, it's time to reflect and celebrate! The journey we embarked upon together was not just about providing answers – it was about fostering a sense of community, encouraging collaboration, and unlocking the true potential of the Power Platform tools.   From the initial announcement to the final week's push, the Summer of Solutions Challenge has been a whirlwind of engagement and growth. It was a call to action for every member of our Power Platform community, urging them to contribute their expertise, engage in discussions, and elevate collective knowledge across the community as part of the low-code revolution.   Reflecting on the Impact As the challenge ends, it's essential to reflect on the impact it’s had across our Power Platform communities: Community Resilience: The challenge demonstrated the resilience of our community. Despite geographical distances and diverse backgrounds, we came together to contribute, learn, and collaborate. This resilience is the cornerstone of our collective strength.Diverse Expertise: The solutions shared during the challenge underscore the incredible expertise within our community. From intricate technical insights to creative problem-solving, our members showcased their diverse skill sets, enhancing our community's depth.Shared Learning: Solutions spurred shared learning. They provided opportunities for members to grasp new concepts, expand their horizons, and uncover the Power Platform tools' untapped potential. This learning ripple effect will continue to shape our growth. Empowerment: Solutions empowered community members. They validated their knowledge, boosted their confidence, and highlighted their contributions. Each solution shared was a step towards personal and communal empowerment. We are proud and thankful as we conclude the Summer of Solutions Challenge. The challenge showed the potential of teamwork, the benefit of knowledge-sharing, and the resilience of our Power Platform community. The solutions offered by each member are more than just answers; they are the expression of our shared commitment to innovation, growth, and progress!     Drum roll, Please... And now, without further ado, it's time to announce the winners who have risen above the rest in the Summer of Solutions Challenge!   These are the top community users and Super Users who have not only earned recognition but have become beacons of inspiration for us all.   Power Apps Community:  Community User Winner: @SpongYe Super User Winner: Pending Acceptance Power Automate Community:  Community User Winner: @trice602 Super User Winner: @Expiscornovus  Power Virtual Agents Community: Community User Winner: Pending AcceptanceSuper User: Pending Acceptance Power Pages Community: Community User Winner: @OOlashyn Super User Winner: @ChristianAbata   We are also pleased to announced two additional tickets that we are awarding to the Overall Top Solution providers in the following communities:    Power Apps: @LaurensM   Power Automate: @ManishSolanki    Thank you for making this challenge a resounding success. Your participation has reaffirmed the strength of our community and the boundless potential that lies within each of us. Let's keep the spirit of collaboration alive as we continue on this incredible journey in Power Platform together.Winners, we will see you in Vegas! Every other amazing solutions superstar, we will see you in the Community!Congratulations, everyone!

Users online (3,418)