Add an existing Flow to a SharePoint library

[simonjhudson]

If a Flow already exists, it's easy enough to add it to an existing SharePoint library. However I can't find any way to add a Flow I have previously created to an existing library.

Can anyone help me out here?

[v-xida-msft · Accepted solution]

Hi @simonjhudson,

Do you want to find a specific flow based on a condition and then save it to an existing SharePoint library if it exists?

I have made a test on my side and find the specific flow through flow display name, please take a try with the following workaround:

• Add a proper trigger, here I use Flow Button trigger.
• Add a "List My Flows" action of Flow management connector, specify environment.
• Add a "Filter array" action, From set to value output of "List My Flows" action, within Condition box, left input box set to Flow Display Name dynamic content of "List My Flows" action, right input box set to 20180301_case9 (on your side, set the name of your flow that you want to find), within middle drop down, choose is equal to.
• Add a Condition, click "Edit in advanced mode", type the following formula:

@not(empty(body('Filter_array')))

• Within "If/yes" branch of Condition, add a "Apply to each" action, input parameter set to output of "Filter array" action. Within "Apply to each" action, add a "Get Flow" action, specify environment and Flow field set to Flow Name dynamic content of "Filter array" action. Then add a "Create file" action, specify Site Address and Folder Path. File Name field set to following formula:

Flow Display Name dynamic content of "Get Flow" action.json

File Content field set to Flow Definition dynamic content of "Get Flow" action.

Image reference:

The flow works successfully as below:

The file opens well as below:

Best regards,

Kris

[simonjhudson]

Actually, my need was simpler. I just couldn't find out how to re-use an existing Flow.

It turns out it's simple. Just make a copy of the Flow, edit it and then choose the new library location and name to attach it to tht library (easy, but not documented anywhere!)

However your suggestion is really intersting, as it migh tmake it easy to provision Flows to existing sites automatically. I'll try it out and report back.

Many thanks for the response Kris!

[buildbod]

Just picking up on a comment

"

It turns out it's simple. Just make a copy of the Flow, edit it and then choose the new library location and name to attach it to tht library (easy, but not documented anywhere!)

"

Is it now documented and if so where?

[#5]

It turns out it's simple. Just make a copy of the Flow, edit it and then choose the new library location and name to attach it to tht library (easy, but not documented anywhere!)

[Manolis]

Ca you provide more details on the solution, please? Copied it? How?

[simonjhudson]

It really is as simple as creating a copy of a flow, then edit the step in the flow that cake the SharePoint library or list to connect to a different library or list.

[Manolis]

Thank you for the answer and I have done that. Perhaps I misundersttod the idea. You are not adding the Flow to the library but simply referencing the library in the step (i.e. Get Files) of the Flow. Is this what you were implying?

[simonjhudson]

Exactly.
You tell the flow to use the library, not the other way around. It was driving me nuts until I spotted how to do that!

[Manolis]

I felt the same way. Now I know...

Thank you.

[Jay-Encodian]

@simonjhudson @Manolis @buildbod - I guess the challenge here is that you need to create a flow for each library as there is a 1-2-1 relationship between a Power Automate Flow and SharePoint List / Library. If you have 100 document libraries, that is 100 flows to create and maintain! This isn't viable in most enterprise scenarios.

Encodian have just released a new tool called 'Trigr' which solves this exact challenge, Trigr enables a single Power Automate flow to be exposed across every list / library in SharePoint Online instantly, removing the need to duplicate a flow for each library.

The following video provides a demo on how to get this setup (takes a few minutes :)) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCQA15u5eIk

Trigr also support multi item / document selection, dynamic forms and some other cool stuff