Power Automate Flows - Blank out/Clear date field

[arjunmusuvathy]

Hi

I have a flow built from CDS connector, I am trying to blank out/clear value from date field.

I am using "null" (dynamic expression) in the date field as below.

and it throws the below error. This is probably because it is datefield and is considering null as string. How do we fix this?

Could you advise me please?

Thanks

Vik

[ChristianAbata]

@arjunmusuvathy  please try just writing null without "" 

[arjunmusuvathy]

@ChristianAbata I am using null from dynamic expression it doesn't have " ". It is failing.

Any advise please

[ChristianAbata]

hi @arjunmusuvathy  oh I missundersthand please could you share an screanshot this could help me better what you want. Becouse if you want to update a CD field that contains data to a blank just work if you leave the fild empty. 

[arjunmusuvathy]

@ChristianAbata  I have re-edited my post with screenshots.

[ChristianAbata]

hi @arjunmusuvathy  please try String('') instead null..

[arjunmusuvathy]

@ChristianAbata  Nope it did not work! Error is below

Thanks

[ChristianAbata]

hi @arjunmusuvathy  sorry, I was looking and you need to update the property of the CD field, but if is a default CD is not posible as I saw.

[arjunmusuvathy]

@ashlega @abm @Antti  Could you help with any advise please? 

[Naveen_772]

In the past, I also faced the same issue. I already placed issue in the Power Automate Idea forum.

Link:-https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Power-Automate-Ideas/Ability-to-store-null-values-in-the-CDS-dat...

Workaround:- If you are using any model-driven application to show/edit the data. You can set the value of date field to any dummy date. Create a business rule to clear the field for the specific dummy date. Hope this will help you out.

Kindly upvote it so that this can be roll out in future updates.

Thanks and Regards,

Naveen Gupta

[Naveen_772]

Hey @arjunmusuvathy 

I found a thread addressing the same issue. Take a look I think this might help you.

https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Building-Flows/How-to-Clear-a-date-field-in-CDS-using-Flow/m-p/4...

https://www.agileo365.com/2019/03/blanking-out-date-fields-in-dynamics.html?m=1

Thank You

[abm]

Hi @arjunmusuvathy 

I tried and replicated your error but with a different error message related to setting null against DateTime.

Below is the error I was getting.

{"error":{"code":"0x80040239","message":"DateTime is less than minumum value supported by CrmDateTime. Actual value: 01/01/0001 00:00:00, Minimum value supported: 01/01/1753 00:00:00","innererror":{"message":"DateTime is less than minumum value supported by CrmDateTime. Actual value: 01/01/0001 00:00:00, Minimum value supported: 01/01/1753 00:00:00","type":"System.ServiceModel.FaultException`1[[Microsoft.Xrm.Sdk.OrganizationServiceFault.....etc

Next what I did is created a solution, create a new flow from solution. Search for Common Data Service. I can see two connectors associated with this. I did selected the second one from the list which is called as 'Default Environment'. Set the null property against my datetime column like below.

This worked for me without any errors and set the null value against the datetime column.

Note: When you try to use the CDS connector always create a solution and use the default environment. That's the best connector compared to other one. The default environment connector is available via solutions only.

Thanks

[arjunmusuvathy]

@abm Thanks for the reply. I did try the steps you mentioned before posting. It works with CDS (current environment) connector but not with the CDS connector. 

And there is reason why I am not creating this flow inside a solution. I have already mentioned this issue in my post.

https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Building-Flows/Instant-Flows-created-in-a-solution-not-showing-u...

@abm  Let me know your views.

Thanks

Vik

[And_Bezgubenko]

After a long search for a universal solution, I chose the fastest one for myself - I create an EmptyDate field in the table (with only date type) and insert it into those Date fields that need to be cleared. Works reliably and flawlessly!

[mpunch86]

Thank you! This was exactly what I needed!