Automating subfolder population

[SanCurious]

Hello fellow members of the Power Automate Community,

I'm currently facing a challenge in automating a workflow related to folder management. My goal is to create an automation that generates folders and their respective subfolders whenever a new folder is created. Regrettably, I've been unable to achieve the desired outcome so far.

I have included a diagram to provide a clearer understanding of my issue and to describe the document structure inside Sharepoint.

 

 

I greatly appreciate any assistance or insights you can provide. Thank you in advance!

[jbishop]

Would you be able to elaborate on how you intend to populate the subfolders (Like do the subfolders have specific names? Is there a set number? etc.)

If your intent was to something Basic like "Create 10 Generic Folders" then something similar to what I've posted below will do the trick.

This Creates a very basic set of 10 folders numbered 0-9

[SanCurious]

Hello, Thank you for getting back to me!

Indeed, the subfolders will be labeled as follows:

1. Proform
2. Invoice
3. List
4. Images
5. Documents
6. Customs
7. Certificates
8. Licence
9. Delivery Confirmation

Regarding the second subfolder (the one that triggers the process), its name will vary depending on the entry.

Let me explain further: Once this second subfolder is created, it should automatically be filled with the specified empty folders.

I hope I have clarified that for you.

[jbishop · Accepted solution]

So, How I'd go about doing it is this (If I'm understanding your question correctly):

This flow results in:

Note: There is an option to make the Folder Path and the Array Variables Dynamic, but I hard coded them for these pictures.

If you want to make the Array Variable Dynamic, pull in either a Excel Table or a Sharepoint List and replace the Variable in the Apply To Each with the Desired field.

If you want to make the Path Dynamic, then use the 'When a file is created's 'Full Path' or 'Folder Path' field. (I believe it's Full Path that you want, but don't quote me on that lol).

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

jbishop

[SanCurious]

EDIT2: Ah, so there is a problem. It also applies the folder structure one hierarchy upwards and every new folder. Thus not only in "Subfolder 2" but also in "Subfolder 1" and to every newly created folder. Any idea how to solve this? @jbishop 

EDIT1: It works, accepted as a solution. Thank you dearly!

This is great! It almost works. The only thing I'm having an issue with is that the folders are not being created in a newly created folder ("Subfolder 2") but rather in "Subfolder 1".

Let me show you my progress:

(I have added a condition as I want it to trigger only when the folder is added).

[jbishop]

My guess would be that the trigger is set to the wrong folder? 

So how I set it up was that whenever a Folder is created in Sub 1, that the folder would be immediately populated with the 9 sub folders. With that, the flow should only trigger once a new folder is added to Sub 1 (And only when a new folder is added to Sub 1).

So, from my understanding, what may be happening is that the Trigger is set to one folder up in the hierarchy. But this may be incorrect since I don't know the path. I'll respond back asap then.

And of course! I'm here to help, cause getting some of these oddly specific things to run on Power Automate can be a tough time. I've been doing it for a good minute, and figure I try to help others!

Also, good addition of the Condition. I meant to add that in (since it's very important to specify that you only care about when a FOLDER is created, not any file), but that totally slipped my mind while creating that demo lmao.

[SanCurious]

I'm not sure if that trigger was set to the wrong folder. Master is "LOGISTICS," and "COUNTRY" is Subfolder 1.

It's just weird because the Folder structure is created in:

1. Subfolder 1

1.1. The document structure is also applied to every single newly created folder in Subfolder 1 (because I guess it triggers the process again)

2. In Subfolder 2 (as I was planning it to)

This automation is also somewhat slow (for obvious reasons, as it creates tons of folders) - 2.4s, to be exact. I was wondering if "break" might be something I should use.

Here is also the process overview:

Also, you are the best. Haha, because for new users, power automate can be a tough nut to crack.

[SanCurious]

Hi, sorry to double-post. I'm wondering if you have any suggestions. 😣

[SanCurious · Accepted solution]

Hey everyone, I have finally managed to get it to work!

Thanks to @ekarim2020's tutorial here

Cheers to you both!