Populate Multiple PNG Attachments to a Microsoft Word Template from a Sharepoint List Item

[jkb6011]

I have a flow with a PowerApps trigger. When the user selects a submit button, the flow should Populate a Microsoft Word Template with values from the selected Sharepoint List item, before creating a docx and pdf with those values to be stored in One Drive. Most of the fields are text, with the exception of Attachments. The flow should execute so that multiple PNG attachments from the selected Item of the Sharepoint List populate into Picture Content Controls in the Word Template.

I am trying to leverage the variables function in the Attachment1 field of the Populate a Microsoft Word template step in an expression to point to the index of the attachment to be populated, but receiving an error: The image is not of type PNG or JPG. Please provide an image of type PNG or JPG.

I've also tried leveraging the Attachment Content dynamic content value in the Attachment1 field, and the flow executes successfully, but it creates the docx and pdf files with the first PNG attachment file before immediately overwriting the file it just created with the second attachment instead.

Here are some screen shots from the flow:

If anyone could help me identify how to write these png files individually to the same Word Doc Template, I’d be forever in you debt!

[Pstork1]

The problem is that you are trying to embed an array of attachment images rather than an image.  The Word Template can handle individual images using the image control, but not an array.  This thread shows how to do it for a single image.  How to populate a word document with images? - Power Platform Community (microsoft.com) For more than that your template will need one control per image. Or you'll need to pre-create the images as Rich Text and then embed them using a Rich Text control

[Jay-Encodian]

Hey @jkb6011 

The following approach covers this requirement: Add SharePoint List Item Data to a Document — Encodian

Obviously this uses the Encodian 'Populate Word Document' action which is a third party connector (standard and not premium), so something to consider... there is free plan available

HTH

[jkb6011]

I have seen and used this thread, but he is using Attachment Content in the Populate a Word Template attachment field. What code should be replaced with Attachment Content when there are multiple attachments to be added to a single word doc? @Pstork1 

I also understand that I will need one control per image, but what code would I leverage to be able to point to the specific image I'd like to return?

Like I said in my original post, "I've also tried leveraging the Attachment Content dynamic content value in the Attachment1 field, and the flow executes successfully, but it creates the docx and pdf files with the first PNG attachment file before immediately overwriting the file it just created with the second attachment instead."

[jkb6011]

Hey there Jay, Encondian isn't an option for me due to a lack of HIPAA Compliance.

[Pstork1]

Its the same code he is using in the post.  You retrieve the document from wherever it is stored and then use the file content to fill in the image field in the Word Document.  The content will have two properties in a JSON object.  One will be the content type and the other is the content itself.

[Jay-Encodian]

Hey @jkb6011,

It it an option if you opt for a dedicated implementation, check out - https://support.encodian.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360008866798-Data-Security-and-Data-Privacy

HTH

[jkb6011]

@Pstork1 , I changed the flow to initialize an attachment object, and then set the variable in the apply to each with the content type and content. But still running into errors when specifying the attachment to pull through an Expression..

I've tried leveraging the body and variables functions below in the Populate a Micrsoft Word Template Attachment2 field to pull the specific PNG, but still running into issues.. Any insight as to how to correct my Expression would be very appreciated!

body('Get_attachment_content')?['$content']
variables('AttachmentObjects')

[Jay-Encodian]

@jkb6011if you need to obtain just the base64 string value from a 'File Content' property you should use the base64() expression as opposed to referencing the $content element directly. Additionally I would advise using a string variable and not an object... as that's what base64 is.

I would recommend reviewing the following video which explains how to work with files and variables: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfVvCYXGcus

Finally, your flow configuration will always write the last attachment into your object variable.... you are iteratively obtaining each attachment and then overwriting the same variable.

If you use the MS Word connector you have to have a 1-2-1 mapping between the placeholder and the image... you cannot pass an array.

[Pstork1]

If you look at the output of your get attachment content step you will find that the content is already an object with both the Content-type and the Content.  So you don't need to do the JSON you are doing.  But since you are doing it inside a loop you are overwriting each attachment as you process the loop.  Your variable when you try to insert it in the Template only has the last image and the object has the wrong information in it also.

[Pstork1]

Adding it to the Word Template requires more than the BAse64 encoding.  You actually need the JSON object with both Content and Content-Type.

[jkb6011 · Accepted solution]

Found a resolution. The Flow is now mapping multiple png files to a Word Template. Shout out to @v-litu-msft for the solid resource:

https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Building-Flows/Populate-a-word-template-with-pictures/td-p/86085...

[ShamirNostas]

jkb6011, I did the same flow as you have shown and can't get the Flow to paste multiple png/jpg files to a Word Template. Can I see your Word Template?

[Jay-Encodian]

@ShamirNostas- You can't populate an array (more than one) with the Microsoft 'Populate a Word Template' action as each placeholder is explicitly mapped, i.e. if you know you are going to have say three images you need an explicitly place holder for each one.

If you have a 'n' number of images check out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3cPTtRvUMw

This video explains the limitations and how to pass an array of images

[ShamirNostas]

Good Afternoon, 

Can you provide us with the Word Template and the Flow? I'm trying to do exactly as you say it, but with other variables, and I'm having this error.

The same Error with JPG and/or PNG files

[Jay-Encodian]

@ShamirNostas- for Encodian specific support the quickest option will be to email support@encodian.com

Looking at the error it looks like your images are being passed as binary as opposed to base64. Please email support@encodian.com with your flow configuration and Input value attached as a TXT file.

[tomaszcwyl]

@jkb6011 What does mean Value = Body in Append to array variable ? Is it body from Get attachment contenct or what ? 🙂