What is the value of an unanswered question?

[BenDonahue]

Yes, yes  very Zen, right?

Seriously, what is the value of an optional Forms question that is left unanswered?

I have tried to use something like: if(equals(UNANSWERED FORM QUESTION, null),true,false), and variations of that, but to no avail; my Boolean always evaluated false.

For my current problem, the only possible answers are "Yes" and "No," so I can come at from the other direction, but I won't always have that luxury.

Thank you for your help.

[Mira_Ghaly]

Hi @BenDonahue 

So you have a Microsoft Forms which you have an MultiOption Answer and you want to manipulate it when a response is received?

[yashkamdar · Accepted solution]

Hello Team,

Here is a solution that worked for me.

First populate the value of the Choice response in a COMPOSE action.

Then use the following expression-

empty(outputs('Compose')) 

The above expression  is equal to true

When I keep my choice field empty this evaluates to TRUE

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[BenDonahue]

Hello @Mira_Ghaly ,

I want to check to see if the question is answered. Yes, it is a multi-option where you may only select one option. Really, I want to see if answer=null, but I haven't had any luck with that yet.

[BenDonahue]

@yashkamdar ,

empty, right. Is it safe to say that in flow, empty replaces null? at least in some cases?

[yashkamdar]

Hello Team,

It all depends on what you are trying to do, each expressions appeals to a particular scenario.

Important thing to know that Empty is an expression whereas NULL is a value.

So Empty will return you a True value if an Object, Array or a String does not hold any value whereas NULL itself is a value.

On a side note, it is indeed true that in FLOW, Empty replaces NULL in most cases.

If this reply has answered your question or solved your issue, please mark this question as answered. Answered questions helps users in the future who may have the same issue or question quickly find a resolution via search. If you liked my response, please consider giving it a thumbs up. THANKS!