Checking if SharePoint Person Field is Blank + Condition if true update / if false update

[emiwil]

I'm trying to build a flow as follows: 

When a new Form response is submitted, get response details and create new item in list1. Using an Odata filter on get items based on matching job number field from list1 to project number field in list 2; filter array to extract item (person) information. Condition checks to see whether item (person) in a SharePoint list to see if the field is blank in list 1. If the person field is blank in list 1, then update list 2 with engineer to "UNASSIGNED" and engineer email to "defaultemail@default". 

I've tried using both expressions (empty(outputs('Filter_array)) and (length(outputs('Filter_array)) with inaccurate results. It either always marks as true, or always marks as false regardless of if there is data in the array. 

[creativeopinion · Accepted solution]

@emiwil This doesn't look like a Filter Array action.

This is a Filter Array action:

However, I don't believe that's the correct action to use for your case. You should use an expression to check and see if the person field is empty. 

While building and testing a flow for MS Forms, it's recommended to use a Manual trigger so you don't need to leave Power Automate to trigger your flow. 

Add Compose action to store the expression. Rename your actions to keep your flow organized.

Insert the empty() function.

Click on the dynamic content tab and insert the dynamic content for your person column. The name should match your column name.

Run a test. Review the outputs. The empty() function will return a true value if the column is empty.

The if() function takes three parameters. The first parameter is a condition that returns a boolan value (aka true or false), the second parameter is the value that is returned if the condition is true. The last parameter is the value returned if the condition is false. 

if([true/false],[true value],[false value])

Compose your expression to suit your requirements. The true/false value will come from the expression created previously. 

Click on the expression to edit it. Add if with an opening parenthesis to the start.

Press the down arrow key to go to the end of the expression. Add a comma. Tip: Pay attention to the tool tip as it bolds the text of the current parameter you are setting. 

Insert the dynamic content of the true value or enter static text. If your value is a string of text, ensure you have single quotes around it. 

Add another comma and enter the false value. Click on the dynamic content tab and insert the dynamic content from your form.

Add a closing parenthesis and don't forget to press update.

Run a test.

You can now insert the output of the Compose action into any subsequent actions.

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Hope this helps!

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[emiwil]

Hi @creativeopinion  Thank you so much for this advice!  It's still returning a false result if the value is blank. I think it's because there are brackets in the field when there is no person assigned, so it's not registering as "empty". Do you have any advice for how to overcome this roadblock?

[creativeopinion]

@emiwil as per my original post, can you confirm the output of the Compose action with just the empty() function? This is the first test I demoed.

[emiwil]

Hi @creativeopinion  here is the output for the empty expression on a line item with an empty field

Here is the return for a column with field populated 

[creativeopinion · Accepted solution]

@emiwil Are you using a single person column? I just tested it on my end and my Compose action comes back true. 

You could try to use a different expression to see if the value is null. 

equals([dynamic content],null)

[emiwil]

Thank you so much @creativeopinion ! You are a wizard! That expression did the trick and is returning accurate results now. You have no idea how helpful this is. I appreciate your advice in troubleshooting. Your YouTube videos are excellent by the way.