Multiple Triggers

[Damitha]

I want my flow to trigger when a new item is added or an existing item is updated in SharePoint. I could not find a way to add two triggers.

So do I have to create two flows to achieve that functionality?

[v-micsh-msft · Accepted solution]

Hi @Damitha,

Adding multiple triggers in Microsoft Flow is not supported currently, but this is a good idea.

Please consider submit this an an idea in Microsoft Flow idea forum:

https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Flow-Ideas/idb-p/FlowIdeas

In addition, if you refers to SharePoint list new item or the update existing item,  then use the When an existing item is updated should meet the requirements you mentioned here, when a new item is added, the When an existing item is updated will also be triggered. There is no need to add those two mentioned triggers for this situation.

Regards

[O365gladiator]

Idea submitted here:
https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Flow-Ideas/Multiple-Triggers-For-The-Same-Flow/idc-p/58853

Please support with your vote and share.

[mabl4367]

You can create one flow for each trigger and then have them all call the flow that does the work.

I created a flow that would send an email notification every time a new record was inserted into a table in an sql database.

I wanted to make sure that no records were missed if the flow was briefly inactivated or something so I created another flow that is triggered once a day.

Both these two flows just picks up the data from the newly created records from the database and then triggers a third flow to run and send an email for each of the records picked up.

 The third flow is triggered "When HTTP request is received" and all the data from the calling flow is passed to it in the body of the request.

[Ph0t0n]

I disagree.  As far as I can tell, there is no option for "When an existing item is updated". 

These are the choices:

When an item is deleted

When a file is created in a folder

When an item or a file is modified

When an item is created

When a file is created (properties only)

When an item is created or modified

When a file is classified by a content understanding model

When a file is created or modified in a folder

When a file is created or modified (properties only)

When a file is deleted

I have tested "When an item or a file is modified" with a sharepoint list and I can say with confidence that editing a cell will trigger the flow, but adding a new row does NOT trigger it.

I'm surprised that multiple triggers is not supported. That seems like it would be an obvious function that would have been added at the very beginning.  I suppose mabl4367's approach of using multiple flows will work, but it seems a bit hacky.

[Ph0t0n]

This one seems to work (it will trigger when an item is modified AND when one is created): When an item is created or modified

[slyakh]

New place to submit ideas (in 2023): https://ideas.powerautomate.com/

[lizbiz520]

I'm curious, if you have tried simply adding both triggers maybe using parallel branching? I have flows that have multiple triggers and they work just fine...I have an initial trigger which essentially is a mail merge flow that sends out a doc for signature, and i have a second trigger in that same flow for when that doc is signed, it adds the info to a spreadsheet. Obviously the circumstances are slightly different but for the sake of having a flow with more than one trigger contained in it, mine work just fine. Just wondered if you had already tried using both and received an error or something 

[VictorIvanidze]

Hi @lizbiz520, 

could you share a flow with 2 triggers?

[lizbiz520]

Yes, of course! This flow starts with one trigger, but has another trigger within the flow so when that document gets signed, it triggers the rest of the actions. I essentially inserted the trigger as if it was just another action within the flow. The flow just stays in "running" status until the second trigger gets triggered. I assume if you use parallel branching as well, or configure run after, or something like that, you could override the need for BOTH triggers to be satisfied, essentially letting your flow run as soon as one is triggered. Here's an example screenshot of a successful flow with two different Adobe Sign triggers.

I realize that both of my triggers are not set to be the initial trigger, but there are two triggers in this flow. I apologize if this isn't what you meant, or if it works differently when both are the first step, but I swear I've had other flows before with multiple initial triggers that worked fine also.

(excuse my super long ridiculous extensive flow lol)

[VictorIvanidze]

Thank you. I've never seen this before 😉

[lizbiz520]

As someone who's had to figure out and learn Power Automate on my own as I go (knowing nothing about it or about automation processes at all!), with nothing but my tech-savviness, sheer determination and the internet, I'm glad I could finally help someone else! LOL. Can't tell you how many times I've been stuck with no where to turn but these posts and google, reading article after article hoping I find the solution. Hope it works for you!

[VictorIvanidze]

Dear @lizbiz520, please don't be offended, but I'm almost sure there is a way to simplify your flow and use only one trigger.

Unfortunately I have no time to prove it, sorry.