Solution Variables for SharePoint URL and List

[robcaretta]

I am packaging several flows into a solution. There are a few different sharepoint connections for getting data and updating data. Is it possible now to use environment variables in a solution to dynamically insert the URL and list names into the flow sharepoint connection objects?  Are there any limitations or gotchas with this idea? 

These flows have been developed in a DEV tenant. I would like to export the whole solution out and import into a PROD tenant. Completely different sharepoint URLs.  What is the recommended approach for packaging up flows that leverage SP lists like this?

I have seen varying posts on this topic, some are several years old. Just wondering if anything has changed. Any guidance is appreciated. Thank you.

[v-xiaochen-msft · Accepted solution]

Hi @robcaretta ,

Have a good day. You are on the right way. If the target env's sp site and list is different from dev env, environment variable is the right method.

Hope it helps.

Best Regards,

Wearksy

[robcaretta]

For the list names do I use the friendly display name or the GUID?  What is recommended?

Also the names of the lists will be the same in DEV and PROD.

[bhssru · Accepted solution]

You will want the guid of the list from SharePoint to perform SP actions. 

Either store it in the variable, or you can use an HTTP Request to SharePoint action to retrieve the GUID using the uri _api/web/lists/getByTitle('<listname>')/Id

It's worth mentioning that once you replace fixed values with variables in an SP action you will no longer be able to select fields from dynamic content and will have to use expressions to reference the metadata values in the flow. 

[smagdalinski]

Hello,

I have a similar issue. I want to create a flow that has the Sharepoint URL  and List as a variable so that different users won't have to update the flow in 10 different places when linking to their own sharepoint site. Can someone provide pictures of how to make a sharepoint URL and sharepoint list into a variable to implement into the flow.

[robcaretta]

Create a solution, and add your flow to that.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-automate/overview-solution-flows

Then create some environment variables within the solution.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-apps/maker/data-platform/environmentvariables

Then leverage the environment variables within the flow.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-apps/maker/data-platform/environmentvariables-power-automate

[bhssru]

The SharePoint actions will accept both the site and List/Library as variables.

Site is simply the full url of the site. List/Library needs the GUID (ListID) of the Library in SP.

You can see this if you use "Peek Code" on a SharePoint action with the list selected.

I recommend building the flow without the variables and then insert the variables after you have the flow working with fixed values. When you use variables Power Automate will no longer be able to give you the dynamic outputs to insert into later actions. Be prepared to have to write out the properties that you want (outputs('SharePoint Action')?['body/value']?['Id']) in later actions. If you build it with fixed values initially you can have the dynamic values to fill into the later actions.

Hope this helps.

brian

[smagdalinski]

Thank you Brian I got this to work!! I am wondering whether there is an easy way to retrieve that list value code. I moved the copy of the flow to a second share point site and without adding a "get item" and "peeking code" as a step I wasn't sure how to get this value.

[bhssru]

You can use the "Send an Http Request to SharePoint" Action as long as you know the Name/Title of the library. Below gets the Id of the default Library called "Documents." Be sure to use the Title of the library and not the path ("Shared Documents") 

body('Send_an_HTTP_request_to_SharePoint')['d']['Id'] will give you the ListId for use in the later flow actions

[smagdalinski]

Okay maybe stupid but do I have to run the flow and have it fail to get it with this action or can I somehow embed this output in the list variable (clearly I am a beginner and I really appreciate your help!)

[bhssru]

No, after the http action if you enter the expression body('Send_an_HTTP_request_to_SharePoint')['d']['Id'] as the input for your set variable you will have the ListId. 

[robcaretta]

You can also obtain your list GUIDs here. Just open a browser and navigate to this. Change {site_url} to your site.
https://{site_url}/_api/web/lists

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sharepoint/dev/sp-add-ins/working-with-lists-and-list-items-with-r...