How to test only parts of a flow without running the whole thing

[Anonymous]

I'm building a somewhat lengthy flow that grabs data from a SharePoint list several times (different ODATA filters each time). After grabbing the list data, it then chews on it before firing off appropriate emails to appropriate people. This scheduled flow has been working for a while.

Now, I have some new functionality I'd like to build into the flow. However, how can I build and test this new functionality without running the entire flow? While testing my new/edited flow bits, I don't want it firing off those emails to people.

[RezaDorrani · Accepted solution]

Hi @Anonymous 

There is currently  no option in Flow to disable code execution

You can make a copy of your flow and make updates and test and remove the other parts

Flow also has the option now to Copy to clipboard so you can copy parts of your flow and temporarily move it to an if condition which will never execute

Regards,

Reza Dorrani

If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly

[Anonymous]

@RezaDorraniThat might work. Copying the flow, removing the "email this person" bits, and then testing the new stuff in the copy is something I considered. Is there a way to copy flow components from one flow to another? Otherwise, I would need to build my changes in the disabled copy, test them, and then build them from scratch again in the original (live) flow. Seems like a lot of duplicated effort.

[RezaDorrani]

Hi @Anonymous 

You can copy and paste across your Flows

https://flow.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/introducing-clipboard-in-flow-designer-and-three-new-user-experience-updates/

Regards,

Reza Dorrani

If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly

[v-alzhan-msft]

Hi @Anonymous ,

As @RezaDorrani  provided, you could refer to the link to copy flow components from one flow to another with Clipboard in flow.

If your problem has been solved, please go ahead and mark the post as solved by clicking “Accept as Solution” so that this thread will be marked for other users to easily identify!

Best regards,

Alice       

Community Support Team _ Alice Zhang
If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

[Anonymous]

@v-alzhan-msft 

Whoa, easy there, Alice. I didn't have a chance to read Reza's response until just now. I fully intend to mark it as the solution, but hounding people about it after only a few hours is not helpful.