Questions on specifying output and condition values

[akharns]

There are bits and pieces of solutions posted for quite a few specific needs, but often they do not say how to use those solutions, such as the exact syntax for putting them in a specific field, or which field you can put them in.  Since I there is quite a bit of overlap, let me list my queries here.  They are in the context of wanting to capture file attributes from on premises using the File Service, and writing records about those files to a new row in Excel.

1. How to use the dynamic content and expression features.
• The solutions often have specific code, whereas, if you know how to use them,  the dynamic content and expression features, seem to generate the code.  I don’t think there is an expectation that one write or understand that code directly, but rather, use dynamic content and expression to build them. 
  • I think the list of available functions is much larger than the ones that show in Expression.  Example:  I think there is a function called Now().  Expression only shows utcNow().  Since I do not have a need for time zone conversion, I assume that this is an unnecessary layer in date processing.
  • Expressions seem to often require reference to the “current record”.  I think that’s what Dynamic Content is for, but I don’t see a way to select an attribute from the available attributes.
• How to test a function or expression without running an entire flow.  This is especially needed for conditions, where the expression is specifically tied to the successful completion of the flow execution.
2. How to specify a value to go to an output file, such as:
• An attribute from my File Service, such as a file’s last modify date
• An attribute derived from the File Service such as the folder for a file (derived from the path)
• A constant such as a category or description of a file captured from the file service
3. How to specify a value to be used in a condition.  I think the rules & capabilities for this are different from #1 above, ,since Dynamic Content and Expression are not available here.
1. 60 days before today  Example: @addDays(now(),-60)
2. Comparing a file’s modify date with the above, so I can select only recently created files
3. A file name filter, such as how to select XML files only.

I apologize for asking so many questions.  I feel that I have spent enough time looking for the answers, so hopefully the answer to a few of these will release the floodgates for me.  Thanks

[v-alzhan-msft · Accepted solution]

Hi @akharns ,

For your first question, there is no any way to test a function or expression without running an entire flow in microsoft flow currently.

For your second question, do you want to get the file’s last modify date, the folder of the file and category or description of a file? If yes, you could get those values from the file with workflow definition language.

For your third question, you could achieve the requirements with Condition in microsoft flow.

If you want to compare a file modify date with 60 days before today, the Condition should as below:

If you want to select XML files only,  the Condition should as below:

Best regards,

Alice       

Community Support Team _ Alice Zhang
If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.