Can't add 2 date columns to v3 email body

[Anonymous]

I have been trying to add 2 date columns from a list ([StartDate] and [EndDate]) to the body of an V3 email. The columns weren't listed in the add dynamic content list so I created 2 initialize variable actions respectively and added them to the email body. I attempted to save the flow but I received the following error;

Flow save failed with code 'InvalidVariableInitialization' and message 'The variable action 'Initialize_variable' of type 'InitializeVariable' cannot be nested in an action of type 'StartDate'.'.

I'm not sure what this means or how to overcome this.

Also, I researched an action called Convert DateTime, but I don't see it listed in the actions list. Is there a way to add it?

Thank you for any and all help.

DWTKBrook

[Shujaath_Khan]

Hi @Anonymous 

1. can move the initialize variable outside the loop, as initialization is meant to be done just for once in flow.

2. If you're looking for converttime zone you can try below action

or if you looking for formatting specific you can try formatDateTime() expression

Thanks

Please click Accept as Solution on this reply if it helped to solve your issue, and thumbs-up if you feel this is useful or important in other ways as a boost.

[Anonymous]

Hello Shujaath,

Thank you for your suggestion.

The Initialize Variable automatically gets nested in the for each loop, I guess it needs to so it can update for every item that is retrieved from the list, I have 

[Shujaath_Khan]

understood, the reason why initialize is wrapping itself around apply_to_each is the value being set in initialize value is of type Array ( or simple list) so to recurse over it would automatically wrap itself in each step.

make sure the value is initialized is a string or any relevant but not an array.

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Both the Initialize Variable actions are set to string. The values are coming from date columns respectively. I still receive the same error though when trying to save he flow.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, I'm a bit confused. The 2 values I want to add to the body of the email are dates (Start Date and End Date). I was able to add these both to the subject, but when I attempt to add them to the email body, the columns are no longer listed in the Dynamic Content list, I can add them to an Initialize variable, but then I can't save the flow.

I'm sure there is something I'm missing but I can't for the life of me figure it out.

[Shujaath_Khan]

Will you be able to share the json/ sample to refer once

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

I ended up creating 2 calculated columns and converting the dates to text, then added those columns. that seems to have worked.

I thank you for all your help. Cheers!

DWTKBrook