Power Automate Flow failing

[KenBerry]

I have the following error when trying to get the largest value from a field and then increment it by one and save it to newly created records.  I've tried both a number field and String field.

Error

Action 'Set_variable_2' failed

Error Details

The variable 'MaxAssetID' of type 'Float' cannot be initialized or updated with value '4174' of type 'String'. The variable 'MaxAssetID' only supports values of types 'Float, Integer'.

Scenario

Column is set to Single Line as Text.

It contains only Numbers

I need to use it as our Unique ID in Microsoft Lists

Since no one knows what the next ID in the sequence will be, I need to have it added to the record after save.

I have setup as follows:

1. When an item is created in my list perform this flow.
2. Initialize Variable = MaxAssetID of type Float
3. Initialize Variable2 = NewAssetID of type Float
4. Get Items from my list, order by AssetID desc with Top Count of 1 "This gets the current MaxAsset ID from the list."
5. Apply to each - value
   1. set variable 2 "MaxAssetID" with value of AssetID* This is where it errors.
   2. Format Number - MaxAssetID format 1234
6. Increment variable - NewAssetID fx add(variables('MaxAssetID'),1)
7. Update Item with NewAssetID in the AssetID field.

My problem appears to be Float vs string vs integer and the various methods not working.

My data has leading 0's, thus I am unable to convert to Number inside the list or the max value it finds would be wrong as I have it setup now.

Please advise how to fix current workflow, or how to create a new one that works.

[efialttes]

Hi!

Can you share a screenshot of your current flow design, so we can see details on values currently assigned as inputs to your 'MaxAssetID' Initialize variable action block?

Anyway, if the error is:

The variable 'MaxAssetID' of type 'Float' cannot be initialized or updated with value '4174' of type 'String'. The variable 'MaxAssetID' only supports values of types 'Float, Integer'.

I believe you are assigning your Sharepoint element column value (of type string) directly as 'MaxAssetID' value. If so, I would use float() or int() WDL expressions to convert your Sharepoint element column value into float or integer

If you are not famiiar with WDL expressions and how to add them please have a look here:

https://flow.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/use-expressions-in-actions/

Hope this helps

[KenBerry]

I agree I am having a problem trying to figure out how to convert my string results from get items in the apply to each value into integers.  If you have an example to do this that would be great.  I'll attach some pictures of what my flow is along with some errors.  Remember I've tried both Float and Integer for the variable types but it's the string to integer conversion I'm having issues with where to put it and how to craft it.  The help pages are no help for me.

Here is my overview of my flow.In this scenario I am initializing integers.Here I am getting the largest value from the AssetID column in my list and then trying to set that "String" value into the MaxAssetID variable, but don't know how to craft that as part of this "apply to each" action.Here is the current failure message regarding incompatible String vs Integer types. I need Integer moving forward to be able to increment the number by 1.

[fchopo · Accepted solution]

Hello @KenBerry 

Have you tried to use the following expression in the "set variable 2" action?

int(item()?['MaxAssetId'])

Just try to convert the MaxAssetId string value to integer.

Hope it helps!

Ferran

[KenBerry]

Thank you , that was what I needed as I didn't understand I needed to add the item section in red.

int(item()?['MaxAssetId'])

Again Thank you so much as I'm brand new 2 days old in this PowerAutomate/Flows and Lists evironment and basically have my entire 1000+ inventory list completed...ready to give permissions and then I'll be officially migrated from Access DB to SharePoint(MS) List which is much easier to access via TEAMs.

[efialttes]

@KenBerry 

problem solved, right?

As you realized, the learning curve with Power Automate is very fast!

I also realized you already marked @fchopo response as Solution.  THis way other members of the community facing similar problems can find inspiration faster

Thanx for making this community great! Happy Flowing!

[ashishseetlani]

For Power Automate,
Don't give the body to response, it will bring the same data types in output. If you give the body, remember to change the data types in it.