Power Automate - Update Word Document

[cwshort]

I currently have a workflow that when a SharePoint list item is created it populates a word template then saves the file in the document library. I would like to take it a step further where if someone updates the list item it would update the document accordingly.  I have looked at templates but have not had any luck. Any help would be appreciated.

[leyburn19 · Accepted solution]

I  just create a new document from the template.  I suppose you could delete document first then create and there would be no name clash.  Pity there is no overwrite capability.

[cwshort]

Thank you. That is what I assumed but thought I would reach out first.

[cwshort]

Would I need to create another flow or add to the original? How would I go about doing that and have it delete the original?

[leyburn19]

Given you need to do a delete you would need to Find the files to delete it.  You would need another flow as the When File Created trigger will not run.  You would need a when file create or modified trigger.  In my case I have a status numeric integer field that when file created is set to 1.  This Flow does all my actions I initially need. 

Then when the file is modified my first step is a condition based on the Status.  IF a 1, it does nothing so flow ends (I put a terminate to be sure) .  If another number other than 1,  I have a switch and actions occur based on the number. 

Important - In very case the switch action last step sets (update item) the number back to 1 else you end up in a perpetual loop.  I learnt this the hard way with an attachment flow.  Before I realized I had lots of records with over 1000 attachments and climbing 😁 It was a mongrel to fix

Now the status number now allows me to do multiple things based on that status field in the one flow.  In your case you would need actions like

1. List Files in Folder (If this gets over 5000 you have other issues)
2. Condition the loops through point 1.  DisplayName = File name
3. File location Yes action - File not located No action
4. Yes Action -
   1. Delete Found File
   2. Recreate Word
   3. May need a delay here to allow system to update
   4. Create File  

[BCNUTIN]

This is informative. Thanks!