Power Automate Flow - Use variable as File Name in 'Get File Content' action 'File Identifier Field'

[Strikerme]

So my flow works wonderfully, until I attempt to use a variable name in the 'Get File Content' action 'File Identifier Field'. I need to do this to load a different template depending on the value returned from a condition block. I was so confident that this would work because the logic makes perfect sense. But it failed miserably and I have spent hours researching and trying to fix it but to no avail and it is out of desperation that I decided to give this platform a try. Can someone please help me? Any help at all would be greatly appreciated.

I have included attached a picture in reference to the block that I need to work, after which everything else will be fine.

Also, I am new here but I did my best in creating this first question.

[VictorIvanidze]

Hi @Strikerme,

the field name is "File identifier", not "File path".

Or use a variable that contains the file id, or use "Get file content using path" action instead of "Get file content" one.

[Strikerme]

Hi @VictorIvanidze,

Thank you for your response. I really appreciate it. I figured out an alternative solution yesterday and I believe you are saying the same thing as what I did when you mentioned "Or use  variable that contains the file id".

I just created a varible on the 'Item Id' instead and that works like a charm. Yes it is one extra action I did not really want to add in the condition block because I am trying to do as less repetitive work as possible but I am just happy that it works.

Please let me know if the work around that I mentioned is what you are stating as well, so that I can accept your answer.

[VictorIvanidze]

Hi @Strikerme,

could you show what exactly you did? 

[Strikerme · Accepted solution]

Hi @VictorIvanidze,

My Power Automate Flow is rather large but I just did a quick run through of my work around for the relevant area.

So I initialized a variable and then I appended it to a string within the condition block and the value for that variable is the 'Item Id' for the newly created file. The newly created file is created using the file content from a template file. Once I had the 'Item ID' stored in the variable, I just put that as the value in a composed action outside of the condition block.

I have attached a picture that might explain it a bit better. I tried my best to explain it in the picture and I hope it makes sense.

I think I am going to accept my answer as the solution, so that anyone who may have a similar problem might find the work around quickly. I just wish there was a way to not put the 'Create File' action within the condition block.

[VictorIvanidze]

Your initial Q was about "Get file content" action, correct?

I was hoping  you'll show "Get file content"  fields populated.

[Strikerme]

Hi @VictorIvanidze,

My monitor is very small and so if expanded the "Get File Content" action block, I would not be able to display the actual relevant areas for the work around. Sorry about that. But I updated the image file to have a little more details in the post with my work around..

Yes, my original question was about the "Get File Content" action. However, I only wanted a dynamic value in there because I am using several different templates and I did not want to repetitively enter the other 7 dependent actions that relies on the value from the "Get File Content" into the conditional block.

But then I was advised that the "Get File Content" "File Identifier" field cannot be dynamic and so I just used it as one would normally do and shifted my focus on instead storing the "Item ID" from the "Create File" action as a varible that would return the "Item ID" of whatever templated got passed as "true" within the conditional block. So, in short there is nothing special that was done to the "Get File Content" action.

[RipInFranklin]

I have used an alternate approach that works a little more like your original attempt to simply pass a variable to Get File Content. Build a small test flow that does a Get File Content for each file in the flow you're building, run it, then look at the id parameter in the raw input for each Get File Content step in the Run History. The ID will be a lengthy string of numbers, letters, and special characters. Set your string variable to one of these values instead of the text path and filename, then use that string variable in your Get File Content. Application would be limited to accessing already existing files and might be unwieldy if many files are involved. Aside from being a little ugly, if someone knows of a good reason not to use this approach, I'd definitely appreciate a reply.

[nhtkid]

Thanks for sharing this.

Quick question relating to this type of flow.

If, in my form there is a name field for user and they submit a file response.

Can I, in the get file content action to create a file with user's name as a variable?

So if I copy the file to a SharePoint list, it will look nice and tidy, also meaningful.

Thanks!

[Taikun]

Hi @Strikerme 
I have just read your solution but I am not sure if it is actually the solution I might be looking for. 

Issue
The need is the same as yours I need to have a flow which is able to load a file which name changes often
In a folder, the action Excel list files need to be able to read a file with a dynamic name so it tomorrow "excel_file_2" or "excel_file_4" can be read by the flow. 

I can't see how your variable itemId helped you in your case through the Create file action
By the way I also have this create file action but only at the end of my flow

How to reproduce my issue
1- Currently, the flow is triggered once a file is created or modified in a specific folder. (I might also need the flow to be able to access a different folder everytime the flow runs)

2- Action Excel List rows load the excel file with the specific name I wrote
3- I extract the Excel values and use them in a Compose file with xml content

4- I use Create file action to transform the output of Compose into a .xml file

I will try to adapt your solution to my flow but maybe you can tell me if that is the most adapted way to proceed in my case?
By the way, thank you so much for posting your solution.

[bbhuva]

HI, Could you please share entire workflow if possible?. Thanks