Not sure why second Get Items is in a 'For each'

[wendxio]

Get items 1 has a filter query

Get items 2 has a filter query, querying FK eq' the Get items 1's PK. This somehow put Get items 2 in a For each loop. Now, if I remove the filter query from Get items 2 and test the flow, it runs with no errors.

The next problem is when I run the test, Condition 1 should be checking to see if there are matching records (length(outputs('Get_items_from_Data_and_Analytics')?['body/value']) equals to 0). If none, then the flow should Create item but it doesn't. 

I think the part that's missing is verifying the FK with the PK and the filter query for the Get items 2 is where I put it but I'm complete the run but I get and error due to Get items 2 in a loop:

"

InvalidTemplate

Unable to process template language expressions for action 'For_each_1' at line '0' and column '0': 'The template language expression 'outputs('Get_items_from_Data_and_Analytics')?['body/value']' cannot be evaluated because property 'body/value' cannot be selected. Array elements can only be selected using an integer index.

"

[creativeopinion]

@wendxio Can you share a screenshot of your flow in the Classic Designer? Ensure you are in edit mode and have your actions expanded. The logic of your flow needs to be adjusted as the nested apply to each (aka for each) loops are causing your issue.

In the meantime, you might find this YT Tutorial helpful: 3 Mistakes YOU 🫵 are Making with the Apply to Each Action in your Microsoft Power Automate Flow

In this video tutorial I’ll go over how to avoid these common mistakes when using the Apply to Each action in a Power Automate flow:

1️⃣ Looping through a Single Item

2️⃣ Creating Unnecessary Nested Loops

3️⃣ Looping through an Unfiltered Array

At the end of the video I share a few helpful insights when it comes to using the Apply to Each action in your flow.

IN THIS VIDEO:

✅ How to avoid the Apply to Each action with a single item array

✅ How to use the item() function to access dynamic content in an array

✅ How to prevent unnecessary nested Apply to Each action loops

✅ How to use the Select action

✅ How to convert an array to a string with the Select action

✅How to use the Filter Query field

✅ How to count the number of items in an array

✅ How to use a condition control

✅ How to use the concurrency control

✅ How to set a top count

✅ How to use Compose actions for troubleshooting

Hope this helps!

If I helped you solve your problem—please mark my post as a solution ✅.
Consider giving me a 👍 if you liked my response!

👉 Level up your Power Automate skills by checking out my tutorials on YouTube
👉 Tips and Tricks on TikTok and Instagram

[v-yetonggu-msft]

Hi @wendxio ,

Could you please tell me what your specific needs are?

The more information you provide, the more I can help you solve the problem.

Best Regards,

Sunshine Gu

[wendxio]

First why is the second Get Item in a For Each, that is causing error to Condition 1. 

Second, if I did without the filter query for Get items 2 and run the test, the test is not creating an item, it skipping. Items should be created as there's no record item in the SP list.

[wendxio]

For request: is getting output from Get Items

For each 1: is getting output from Get items 2

[creativeopinion]

@wendxio Could you pls expand these actions—blur out any sensitive info. It'll provide more context as to what the issue is with your flow. If you can ensure you toggle the advanced options in both actions that would be great!

[wendxio]

[creativeopinion]

@wendxio Sorry it's not clear here in your screenshots.... are these two Get Items actions returning the same list?... Or different lists? The more information and insights you can include in your posts—the easier it is to provide recommendations. 

[wendxio]

Different list. Get items 1: SP1 is where I want to get the data from, get items 2: SP2 is where I want to send data to but need to check if there are not already a record in SP2, if there are none, create the item in SP2.

[creativeopinion]

@wendxio Looping through each item from your SP2 list to check if the Request ID already exists is inefficient. You should use a Filter Array action instead.

I cover how to do that in this tutorial: Are you using the Microsoft Power Automate Filter Array Action wrong?

You'll want to watch the first section of this tutorial. Although the demo compares an Excel Table to a SP list to determine which Excel items to add to SP—you can use the same concept to compare one SP list against another.

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

Hope this helps!

If I helped you solve your problem—please mark my post as a solution ✅.
Consider giving me a 👍 if you liked my response!

👉 Level up your Power Automate skills by checking out my tutorials on YouTube
👉 Tips and Tricks on TikTok and Instagram

[wendxio]

Sorry, I got a little lost in the vid. I tried following up to the first compose but when it came to testing, I got an error.

[wendxio]

I got the following error when testing the first compose: 

InvalidTemplate

The execution of template action 'Filter_array' failed: The evaluation of 'query' action 'where' expression '@not(contains(body('Join_-_CS_Intake_ID'),item()?['RequestID']))' failed: 'The template language function 'contains' expects parameters of matching types: a dictionary and a key (string), an array and a value (object), or a string and a substring. The provided types 'String' and 'Null' are incompatible. 

So when I update (not include the join action) the for each Request , I get a different error:

Action 'Compose' failed

Unable to process template language expressions in action 'Compose' inputs at line '0' and column '0': 'The template language expression 'length(outputs('Filter_array')['body/value'])' cannot be evaluated because property 'body/value' doesn't exist, available properties are 'body'.