automate record creation when required field is autoincrement

[halifaxious]

I created a table, PRA_Score where the primary name column is an autonumber.

Now I want to use Power Automate to automatically create PRA_Score records when an action happens. But I can't figure out what to put in the primary name column since it is insisting I must put something there.

I suppose I could look up the last PRA_Score record, parse the name (score_####), increment the number and concatenate a new name for the new record. But that feels really kludgy. Is there a better way?

[ChrisPiasecki · Accepted solution]

Hi @halifaxious,

You can pass the Null expression to get past the required validation in your Flow. The platform will take care of populating the name with the generated AutoNumber on the server side. See my working example below:

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[Carlosr]

I typically change AutoNumber fields to not-required since the system will populate it for you.  Also, ensure that the field is read-only on any forms so that it can't be changed.

[halifaxious]

I don't believe the primary name field can be changed to optional. That was the issue.  Using the null() expression solved the problem.

[Carlosr]

The primary name field can be set to optional:

This is the recommended approach since it is the intended behavior.  Otherwise, all applications, flows and services that attempt to create a record will need to account for this.

[halifaxious]

Good to know. Thanks!