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Pieter_Veenstra

Microsoft Flow - How to check if a file exists in SharePoint

I will start by describing my flow a bit. 

 

In my flow I've got 2 document libraries. When a document is created in the first document library I want to copy the document to a second library and I'm doing this by using the Create file action. So my flow looks something like this:

 

CreateFile.PNG

 

But then I noticed in my flow history that every now and then I would get a create file going into retry mode as it was marked with the amber tick. 

 

 

OopsFLow.jpg

This was happening as users were making multiple updates to the same document very quickly after eachother. One of my flow instances would actually trigger and the second flow would go into this retry state. 

 

So then I decided to add a 'does file exist' check. Unfortunately this action doesn't exist. But there is a great workaround available.

 

Before I run the create file action, In now added a get file content using path action followed by a scope that includes all the actions that I want to run after I create a new file.

 

 

Workaround.PNG

 

To make this all work I set the scope's run after settings to 

 

 FailedRunafter.PNG

 

And now my check if file exist in my flow is complete. 

Comments

Thank you for sharing the Microsoft Flow tips

Thank you for posting this, I am in similar shoes, and was thinking of how to use REST to probe for filename existence but this technique seems faster. I will give this method a try.

The problem with your workaround is that flow still fails when Get content using path fails. Of course this activiity is logged.

 

One problem with your post is that we don't see the whole flow. It looks like you might have 2 conditions.

 

I recently found a solution for checking to see if a list item exists that proved quite helpful. Basically you use Get Items with OData filters and then a custom condition to evaluate the response code. It's nice and tidy - none of the actions fail whether the item is there or not. I tested it out, and it works great.

 

I'm not positive if this method could be adapted to probe for documents succesfully, but it might be worth a shot.

About the Author
  • Experienced Consultant with a demonstrated history of working in the information technology and services industry. Skilled in Office 365, Azure, SharePoint Online, PowerShell, Nintex, K2, SharePoint Designer workflow automation, PowerApps, Microsoft Flow, PowerShell, Active Directory, Operating Systems, Networking, and JavaScript. Strong consulting professional with a Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) focused in Information Technology from Mumbai University.
  • I am a Microsoft Business Applications MVP and a Senior Manager at EY. I am a technology enthusiast and problem solver. I work/speak/blog/Vlog on Microsoft technology, including Office 365, Power Apps, Power Automate, SharePoint, and Teams Etc. I am helping global clients on Power Platform adoption and empowering them with Power Platform possibilities, capabilities, and easiness. I am a leader of the Houston Power Platform User Group and Power Automate community superuser. I love traveling , exploring new places, and meeting people from different cultures.
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