Create bucket and task in planner from an excel file

[AChan2]

I want to create buckets and tasks with conditions into Planner from an excel file . Attached above I received the errors with the current flow and logic. Not quite sure what went wrong.  It seems to me it's caused by the Bucket id.  I entered the Bucket id as 

if(not(empty(body('Filter_array'))), body('Filter_array')[0]['Id'], null) for yes condition. For no condition, I put down 

if(empty(body('Filter_array')), 'DefaultBucketID', body('Filter_array')[0]['Id'])

Any suggestions to get it solved is highly appreciated!  Thanks. 

[creativeopinion]

@AChan2 To troubleshoot your issue, you should put the expression into a Compose action to see what outputs before you add the actions into the Yes/No branches of your Condition action.

Speaking of the condition action. You'll want to specify a length value. Otherwise if 0 items are returned, the condition will also be false. 

When checking for the length of a Filter Array action, insert 0 into the second value field. Up to you which operator you prefer to use. If the length is equal to 0 (aka no items are returned from your Filter Array action) enter your additional actions into the Yes branch.

To learn more about how to use the Filter Array action, please refer to this YT Tutorial: Are you using the Microsoft Power Automate Filter Action wrong?

In this video tutorial I’ll show you 3 practical ways to use the Filter Array action and how to use it properly.

1️⃣ Cross-Referencing Data

2️⃣ Filtering by Key

3️⃣ Substring Matching

Did you know that the Condition action has a limit of 10 conditions? Although it might look like the Filter Array action can only accept one condition—this is not true. By using the advanced mode you can enter multiple conditions into a Filter Array action with an expression.

IN THIS VIDEO:

✅ 3 Ways to Use the Filter Array Action

✅ How to use the Scope Action to Group Actions

✅ How to Check the Number of Items returned from a Filter Array Action

✅ How to Cross-Reference Data in Excel with a SharePoint List

✅ How the Filter Array Action Works

✅ How to Access the Dynamic Content from a Filter Array Action

✅ How to Filter Items by a Key

✅ How to Filter Items by Matching a Substring

✅ How to Use Multiple Conditions in a Filter Array Action

Do this for your expression that you are using in the no branch as well. 

Run a test. Review the outputs of the Compose action. 

Use Variables

Once you've tested out your Compose actions, adjust your flow so that it uses String Variables instead. String Variables in your case will be ideal as they act as a container to store values. By using variables you only need to use a single Create a Task action. 

Initialize a string variable for the Bucket ID, Start Date Time and Due Date Time.

Tip: Rename your actions to keep your flow organized!

Set Variables

Set the variables based on the branch you are setting them in. Please note: I only added one set variable action for each branch. You'll want to set the rest of your variables.

Create a Task

Since you are setting variables with the dynamic content inside the Condition branches, you can use a single Create a Task action. Add a Create a Task action outside of the Condition branches.

Insert the appropriate dynamic content from your Excel table into the action. Insert the variables into their respective fields.

Run a test.

For more flow troubleshooting tips—check out this YT Tutorial: 5 Power Automate Troubleshooting FAQs and Helpful Tips for Creating Better Flows

In this tutorial I cover:

✅ 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 ✅.
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[AChan2]

Thanks everyone. I've updated the length is equal to 0  and put if(not(empty(body('Filter_array'))), body('Filter_array')[0]['Id'], null) under If no condition. Creating buckets and If no create a task work, .just the create a task under If yes is not working.  What bucket id should i use to fix the issue without setting up or using the variables?  I tried "

if(empty(body('Filter_array')), 'DefaultBucketID', body('Filter_array')[0]['Id'])" but still not working.I want to build a simple flow.  Any suggestions? Thanks. 

[creativeopinion]

@AChan2 The reason I asked you to put the conditions into the branches BEFORE adding the rest of the actions was to verify if the expressions are outputting what you are expecting. 

If you could please remove all of your actions from your condition branches and insert Compose actions to store your expressions for the Bucket ID—you could troubleshoot your issue better.

The purpose of this is to verify the output of your expressions before you continue building your flow. 

[AChan2]

@creativeopinion , thanks again for your help. Unfortunately, I am not a tech person. I already got the If no create a task work. The question is to get the If yes create a task work. How can I get it worked without removing all of the actions from the condition branches? Thanks. 

[creativeopinion]

@AChan2 To get it to work—you need to troubleshoot which is what I'm suggesting you do. You can save a copy of your existing flow. Add the Compose action as I've suggested and run a test. It will help you to understand what is going on in your flow. To build flows in the future you'll need to learn how to troubleshoot them. It's best to test out your flow at certain sections while you are building—than trying to build the entire thing and troubleshoot it once you've built it. 

Although it may seem like extra work—testing will help you to better understand what is going on in your flow!

[AChan2]

Thanks @creativeopinion. I will try it later while I've worked on this problem for over 10 hrs.