Pankaj Surti's Blog

Problem:

I have two lists with the same columns. When I use the Create Item action to copy an item from the Source list to the Target list I am not able to get a multiple choice column to populate correctly on the Target list. In the Target list entry, the ActionAssignedTo column returns OData information instead of the values (see below).

Do you know a trick to resolving this issue?

Steps to reproduce the problem.

1. Create two lists (SourceList and TargetList) with the ActionAssignedTo Multi Choice field and default Title field.
2. Create a Power Automate Flow with the Trigger “When an item created” on the Source List.
3. Add the Create Item Action Like the following.

Note: If you add the ActionAssignedTo as a dynamic value it will always add “Apply Each” as this value is an JSON array object.

Resolution:

Note: The ActionAssignedTo field is a multi-choice field. The Trigger output has the values in a JSON array as shown below. Our aim to iterate the values and create another JSON array object.

We will make use of the SELECT action operation.

In the “From” type expression. triggerOutputs()?[‘body/ActionAssignedTo’]

In the Map below type expression. Item()?[‘Value’]

Now add the “Create item” action. Make sure you click on the icon below to turn in to adding expression.

After you click that, now you add the output of the SELECT.

Conclusion:

The multi choice values come in as an array for you. To assign this value to create item you must make the values in the format the multi choice field desire. Once you reformat with SELECT the items can be easily assigned to be copied.

Initial Setup

Create a list ‘TestFlow’ with a Title and a People field SecondarySiteOwners. Note: Make sure you set the Allow multiple selection

Create a Flow will the Item Added event trigger

1: Add an action to initialize a String variable.

 2: Add an action to initialize an Array Variable.

3. Add Apply Each loop to loop though the Secondary Site Owners. In the inner action add an action to append array,

Note: in the Value fill the following expression.

items(‘Apply_to_each’)?[‘Email’]

4. Now do the join in the array variable with the join character as ‘;’ (semicolon).

5. Now assign the new output of Join to the String variable for you to use to add to CC or TO line of your email.

Now your ‘SiteOwners’ String variables will have the following values with ‘;’ delimited string.

“AdeleV@M365x146530.OnMicrosoft.com;DebraB@M365x146530.OnMicrosoft.com;DiegoS@M365x146530.OnMicrosoft.com”

Happy Coding!

Problem Definition:

Usually we have Triggers such as “Item Added or Modified” for a list or library. This is a first action in your workflow. Now assume that there is “WaveStatus” field in your list. You want a condition in your Trigger to activate only when Status is equals to “Completed”.

(Assuming your WaveStatus field has “New”, “InProgress”, “Hold” and “Completed”)

The issue with this approach is your workflow will trigger for all conditions even if some made a change to “Hold” from some other values. Even worst the trigger will fire for any field change in your list item.

Solution:

TTP: Use a “Compose” Action and type a function triggerBody(). Run the once without any actions. Note the output of compose keep copy to understand what comes to your flow as an input. This will be in JSON, I suggest learning a high level anatomy of JSON.

1. Click on the ‘…’ on your trigger and select ‘Settings’

1. In the Settings dialog, you will be adding the Trigger Condition. Please make a note your expression must have ‘@’ character.

e.g. @equals( triggerBody()?[‘WaveStatus’]?[‘Value’],’Completed’)

Conclusion

This will allow your work flow to trigger only when item is modified with the value WaveStatus=’Completed’. This will prevent unnecessary workflow run.

Happy Coding!