Nested If(empty) expressions

[cbohlman]

Hello,

I am trying to build a flow that updates one SharePoint list based on the entries of a second list. The list to be updated has 3 columns (Item 1, Item 2 and Item 3). I want the flow to complete those columns with the input value (Item) based on whether or not the previous column is blank.

So if Item 1 is blank, i want the value to go there and the other 2 to stay blank. If item 1 is completed but Item 2 is blank the value should go in Item 2. If Item 1 and 2 is completed and Item 3 is blank it should go there. 

Originally,  I had several levels of conditions but since this is an already complicated flow there were too many levels, so I want to use an If(empty) expression to check the column and update the value based on those results.

I was able to write an expression to check the first column. That works fine: 

if(empty(items('Apply_to_each_2')?['Item_x0028_1stReceived_x0']), triggerOutputs()?['body/Item'], items('Apply_to_each_2')?['Item_x0028_1stReceived_x0'])

However, the expressions for Item 2 and 3 are always blank even when a value is expected to be added. These are the expressions i have for Item 2 & 3.

Item 2: 

if(empty(items('Apply_to_each_2')?['Item_x0028_1stReceived_x0']), if(empty(items('Apply_to_each_2')?['Item2_x0028_2ndReceived_x']),null,triggerOutputs()?['body/Item']),items('Apply_to_each_2')?['Item2_x0028_2ndReceived_x'])

Item 3:

if(empty(items('Apply_to_each_2')?['Item_x0028_1stReceived_x0']), if(empty(items('Apply_to_each_2')?['Item2_x0028_2ndReceived_x']), if(empty(items('Apply_to_each_2')?['Item3_x0028_3rdReceived_x']),null,null),triggerOutputs()?['body/Item']),items('Apply_to_each_2')?['Item3_x0028_3rdReceived_x'])

Any ideas on what needs adjusted to the expression?

[abm]

Hi @cbohlman 

This is your Item 2 expression

Item 2: 

if(empty(items('Apply_to_each_2')?['Item_x0028_1stReceived_x0']), if(empty(items('Apply_to_each_2')?['Item2_x0028_2ndReceived_x']),null,triggerOutputs()?['body/Item']),items('Apply_to_each_2')?['Item2_x0028_2ndReceived_x'])

So the first condition is

if(empty(items('Apply_to_each_2')?['Item_x0028_1stReceived_x0']) 

True > if(empty(items('Apply_to_each_2')?['Item2_x0028_2ndReceived_x']),null,triggerOutputs()?['body/Item'])

False > items('Apply_to_each_2')?['Item2_x0028_2ndReceived_x'])

So in this case if the 1stReceived is not blank it will excute the false statement. Believe you need

triggerOutputs()?['body/Item'] under the false statement?

Thanks

[cbohlman]

Hi @abm ,

Thank you for your reply. I would like the true statement of the If expression to be 'null' and the false statement to execute the second If statement. 

Based on your response, I tried adjusting the expression to this:

if(empty(items('Apply_to_each')?['Item_x0028_1stReceived_x0']),null, if(empty(items('Apply_to_each')?['Item2_x0028_2ndReceived_x']),triggerOutputs()?['body/Item']),items('Apply_to_each')?['Item2_x0028_2ndReceived_x'])

However, when I run the flow I get the error below:

Is there a way to nest a second If expression as the 'False' statement of the first If statement?

[abm]

Hi @cbohlman 

Try not(empty()) expression

Thanks

[cbohlman]

@abm ,

Can you give a more specific expression? I am not sure I am trying the 'Not(empty()) in the right place. I tried this expression and received the same error as previously mentioned:

if(empty(items('Apply_to_each')?['Item_x0028_1stReceived_x0']),null, not(empty(items('Apply_to_each')?['Item2_x0028_2ndReceived_x']),triggerOutputs()?['body/Item']),items('Apply_to_each')?['Item2_x0028_2ndReceived_x'])

[abm · Accepted solution]

Hi @cbohlman 

I have made a video about this. Please have a look.

https://youtu.be/X-4Q-Bpyw2g

Watch the above video and comment please.

Thanks