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mmoore1
Regular Visitor

Update file property to empty - null not working

At the end of my flow, I am trying to set one file property to empty/blank. The file is maintained in a SharePoint library and the property is one of the metadata columns. The column is a choice column that only has one option (Feedback) or remains empty. I need this property/column to be moved from Feedback to empty in order to trigger a separate flow. I have tried using null but it doesn't work. I have also tried various alternatives (like crafting expressions, using a space or quotation marks, etc.), but those don't work either. My understanding is that null should work regardless so the fact that it isn't is very frustrating. Is this a common bug in Power Automate? Is there a way to fix? Below are screenshots of the property I am trying to update to empty and the results when I run the flow (which are not empty).

mmoore1_0-1597850644012.pngmmoore1_1-1597850766831.png

 

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION

Accepted Solutions

@WackdeMack, I encountered the same problem today and seems like I found a solution:

- Initialize an empty string variable (e.g. 'VarClearChoice')

- Use 'update file properties' to clear the choice column by using this expression: 

 

variables('VarClearChoice')

 

 

Worked for me while using 'null'-function basically didn't have an effect.

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11 REPLIES 11
Jcook
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Most Valuable Professional

Hello @mmoore1 

 

Are you receiving an error? if so what is the error message


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@Jcook I am not receiving an error message. The flow runs and says it succeeded, but it just doesn't change the property at all.

Jcook
Most Valuable Professional
Most Valuable Professional

Hi @mmoore1 

 

Tp update a lookup field in SharePoint to Null or empty.

 

Follow this guide:

https://sharepains.com/2019/03/07/microsoft-flow-how-to-clear-fields-in-sharepoint-list-items/

HTTP request to SharePoint looks to be the only way to empty a lookup value in SharePoint at this time.

 

Also consider voting for this feature here:

https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Power-Automate-Ideas/Sharepoint-handling-setting-Lookup-fields-t...


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@Jcook I'm not understanding why the HTTP request is necessary. The field I am trying to clear is a Choice field which should clear with null. This is confirmed to be true in the link you provided where he illustrates his point by clearing out the Choice 1 field with the null expression. My problem is that when I use null it does not work though it should as far as I can tell. I want to understand why it isn't working.

Any update on this? I got the same problem

@WackdeMack, I encountered the same problem today and seems like I found a solution:

- Initialize an empty string variable (e.g. 'VarClearChoice')

- Use 'update file properties' to clear the choice column by using this expression: 

 

variables('VarClearChoice')

 

 

Worked for me while using 'null'-function basically didn't have an effect.

Jcook
Most Valuable Professional
Most Valuable Professional

Hi @WackdeMack 

Can you try @soengen  solution, and let us know if this has fixed your issue.

 

@mmoore1

Can you also try and let us know.

 

Thanks


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Works awesome! @soengen thnx! 

it works! thank you very much

Gali

Thanks, your trick saved me even 1,5 years later. 🙂

For clearing out a date field this didn't work but using a variable (or compose) in much the same way does the trick if you give it the value of null instead of an empty string.

Ericwild
Regular Visitor

This works without cluttering your code. 

string('')

 

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