How to run a new business rule on existing data?

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure if this is possible but what I"m trying to do:

I have 4 different image fields. In my canvas app I want to be able to lay them out differently depending on if the user has uploaded 1, 2, 3, or 4 images. So to this end I've created a countImages field and am trying to use a business rule to set its value. The business rule logic is basically.

If image4field contains data, set countImages to 4, elif image3field contains data, set countImages to 3 etc...

So I created and activated the business rule and nothing happens. How do I kick this off? I know I can create this logic on the app side but I thought it would be simpler on server side. I was hoping to put this logic in one place instead of in 6 or 8 different buttons all over the app.  Thanks in advance.

[v-siky-msft]

Hi @Anonymous ,

The business rule only takes effect on the newly created records. Could you please try to create a new record and then check if the business rule works?

In order to generate corresponding 'countImages' values to previous records based on the conditions you mentioned, you can implement this in PowerApps via ForAll functions.

Please try this code, replace the Entity Name, four Image Field Names, and GUID Field Name to the real names.

Clear(Col1); ClearCollect(MyCol, 'Entity Name');
ForAll(MyCol, If(!IsBlank(ImageField1),Collect(Col1,"1"));If(!IsBlank(ImageField2),Collect(Col1,"1"));If(!IsBlank(ImageField3),Collect(Col1,"1"));If(!IsBlank(ImageField4),Collect(Col1,"1"));Patch('Entity Name',LookUp('Entity Name',GUIDFieldname=MyCol[@GUIDFieldname]),{countImages:CountRows(Col1)});RemoveIf(Col1,true))

When previous records are successful, you can continue to automatically assign countImages values to new records by the business rule.

Hope this helps.

Sik

[Anonymous]

Business rules only run on newly created? Does it not run when a record is updated?

I can't use a collect to grab everything, I might be able to run a forall, patch command to trigger the business rule with a record update.

[v-siky-msft · Accepted solution]

Hi @Anonymous ,

Yes, Business rules also work when a record is updated or created!

Does ForAll/Patch function make sense for your case?

Sik

[m_danish]

My best workaround for this is to export the table to a Excel or CSV file, do a bulk delete job in the Power Platform Admin Center to clear the table, and then import the data back into the table. Business rules will then kick in on the data you import back in to the table.