Birthday Reminder Flow

[AmandaMink]

Good day,

I am trying to build, what I thought would be a simple scheduled flow to remind line managers of staff’s birthdays, but I can’t get it right.

I have a SharePoint list with all employee’s data including DOB. Required conditions:

• Termination date is blank.
• Not all DOB are updated so I am getting errors on apply to each, therefore I tried to exclude rows where DOB is blank.

I have tried many ways and I keep receiving errors. Expressions I used can be found in the notes.  

See screenshots how currently set up with error:

Unable to process template language expressions for action 'Condition' at line '0' and column '0': 'The template language function 'formatDateTime' expects its first parameter to be of type string. The provided value is of type 'Null'. Please see https://aka.ms/logicexpressions#formatdatetime for usage details.'.

Thank you

Amanda

[creativeopinion · Accepted solution]

@AmandaMink I recently uploaded a YT tutorial that covers how to send a reminder email based on a date column in a SharePoint list. I also cover how to handle items with a blank date column in the Helpful Insights section of the tutorial.

Hope this helps!

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[FLMike · Accepted solution]

Hello,

I'd like to provide some feedback too just to help you as well as give you the answer.

1. Currently you creating variables, that store empty() and then later in a condition you are using them to Compare to true/false. The problem is, I believe your intent is to check the value of the COLUMN within the interation of the Apply to Each, so remove those variables. Just add empty(items('Apply_to_each')?[TerminateDateColumn]) is equal to false

2. You should add a filter to your Get items. For instance, I created a simple one that filters out the Repairs in my list based on the ServiceDate eq 'formatDateTime(utcNow(), 'mm-dd-yyyy')' . Please note the expression in bold is an expression you type in the expression. 

By doing this, I get rid of any ones from other days. I also get rid of any that are null.

BTW if you want to filter date by null, you type -- yourdate ne null or if you want nulls yourdate eq null

no caps, no quotes, just null

3. If you are doing to use variables in a loop you must turn on Concurrency (click on the ...) for the Apply to Each, turn it on and set it to value = 1. Otherwise you get wacky results as its not threadsafe. but in your case I want you to get rid of those variables anyway as you dont need them. Only access the data directly from the loops

4. It makes sense that you are getting the error, because you aren't filtering OUT the nulls before you check it and based on the expression you are doing which an equal expression, which you cannot do against a null. So if you don't filter in the Get Items, then you need to do something like

empty(loopDate) is not equal to false AND

formateDate = loopDate

AND

empty(terminatedate) is equal to true

Does that make sense?

Please let me know.

Cheers
If you like my answer, please Mark it as Resolved, and give it a thumbs up, so it can help others
Thank You
Michael Gernaey MCT | MCSE | MCP | Self-Contractor| Ex-Microsoft
https://gernaeysoftware.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelgernaey

[Thalita_]

Hi @creativeopinion 

Just watched your yt tutorial, but when I get to  the condition this keeps happening:

ActionBranchingConditionNotSatisfied

The execution of template action 'Aplicar_a_cada_-_aniversariante' skipped: the branching condition for this action is not satisfied.

ActionDependencyFailed

The execution of template action 'Compor_-_Nome' is skipped: dependant action 'Aplicar_a_cada_-_aniversariante' completed with status 'Skipped' and code 'ActionSkipped'.

ActionConditionFailed

The execution of template action 'Enviar_um_email_(V2)_-_aviso_de_aniversário' is skipped: the 'runAfter' condition for action 'Compor_-_Nome' is not satisfied. Expected status values 'Succeeded' and actual value 'Skipped'.

I just want it to run, send an e-mail reminder (only to me) so I didn't do the other compose action for the manager as your tutorial.

Can you help me? 

[creativeopinion]

@Thalita_ It looks like your condition is returning false. Which is why the rest of your actions aren't running. You'll need to troubleshoot your condition action. It's hard to see what's going on in your flow with the screenshot you've shared. I'd recommend starting a new post (as this one has already been marked solved). Upload a screenshot of your flow in the Classic Designer with all actions expanded.

In the meantime, you can refer to this YT Tutorial to troubleshoot your condition action: 5 Power Automate Troubleshooting FAQs and Helpful Tips for Creating Better Flows

In this Power Automate tutorial, I explore 5 frequently asked questions that pop up when troubleshooting a flow. If you’d like to to level up your Power Automate flow skills and learn how to troubleshoot your Power Automate flow—this tutorial is for you!

IN THIS VIDEO:

✅ How to troubleshoot a false Condition action result

✅ How to get dynamic content when it isn’t selectable from the list of dynamic content

✅ How to troubleshoot an Apply to Each action that isn’t looping through

✅ How to troubleshoot a skipped Apply to Each action

✅ How to troubleshoot a Filter Query

✅ How to use a SharePoint yes/no column in a Filter Query

✅ How to use Compose actions to troubleshoot a Power Automate flow

✅ How to troubleshoot multiple emails being sent

✅ How to troubleshoot multiple Teams messages being sent

Hope this helps!

If I helped you solve your problem—please mark my post as a solution ✅.
Consider giving me a 👍 if you liked my response!

👉 Level up your Power Automate skills by checking out my tutorials on YouTube
👉 Tips and Tricks on TikTok and Instagram