Power App generating PDF with duplicate data from htmlText control

[sudosaurus]

Hello,

I have built an app that connects to multiple SharePoint lists - these are all served up into galleries and all connect really well in the app to the point that it functions as intended.

On the cases screen, we have a list of buildings in the left side gallery. On the Top right we have a form control that has fields for the building that shows data when a building from the buildings gallery is selected.
On the bottom right we have a list of topics - using the New topic button takes you to another screen where you can create new topics - these are linked to the building.

As said above, here we have the other screen where we can view an existing selected topic (from the above screen) or create a new topic. On the top right, we have a list of Subtopics which are associated with each topic and the same building. On the bottom right, we can view the Subtopic information, which includes the Subtopic, Subtopic Breakdown, RAG Status, Argument and Evidence. Makes sense so far??

Back on the Cases screen where we had the list of buildings on the left you will have seen the 'Create PDF' button:

When selected, this starts off the process that will ultimately generate a PDF file via Power Automate.

The OnSelect property of the 'Create PDF' button is set to:

// Set your variables first
Set(varItem, ThisItem);
Set(varBuildingPhoto, LookUp(BuildingPhotos, Title = ThisItem.spBuilding).'Link to item');
Set(varBuildingPhotoID, LookUp(BuildingPhotos, Title = ThisItem.spBuilding).ID);

// Data collection and ClearCollect statements go here

// THIS INCLUDES ALL THE TOPIC HEADERS
ClearCollect(colSubtopics1, Distinct(Filter(SubtopicArgEvi_1,Building=varItem.spBuilding),Topic));

// THIS IS THE DISTINCT COLLECTION OF ORDER OF TOPICS
ClearCollect(colSubtopics, ForAll(Sequence(CountRows(colSubtopics1)), Patch(Last(FirstN(colSubtopics1,Value)),{Order:Value})));

ClearCollect(colTempAllSubtopics, AddColumns(Filter(SubtopicArgEvi_1,Building=varItem.spBuilding),"TopicOrder",0,"SubtopicOrder",0));
Clear(colTempAllSubtopicsB);
ForAll(colTempAllSubtopics, Collect(colTempAllSubtopicsB, {
    Top: colTempAllSubtopics[@Topic], 
    SubTop: colTempAllSubtopics[@Subtopic] & " - " & colTempAllSubtopics[@'Subtopic Breakdown'],
    Arg: colTempAllSubtopics[@Argument],
    Evid: colTempAllSubtopics[@Evidence],
    TopOrder: LookUp(colSubtopics,Value=colTempAllSubtopics[@Topic]).Order+2
}));

Clear(colAllSubtopics);

    Collect(colAllSubtopics, ForAll(Sequence(CountRows(Filter(colTempAllSubtopicsB, TopOrder=3)), 3.1, 0.1), Patch(Last(FirstN(Filter(colTempAllSubtopicsB, TopOrder=3), Value)), {SubTopOrder: RoundUp(Value, 2)})));
    Collect(colAllSubtopics, ForAll(Sequence(CountRows(Filter(colTempAllSubtopicsB, TopOrder=4)), 4.1, 0.1), Patch(Last(FirstN(Filter(colTempAllSubtopicsB, TopOrder=4), Value)), {SubTopOrder: RoundUp(Value, 2)})));
    Collect(colAllSubtopics, ForAll(Sequence(CountRows(Filter(colTempAllSubtopicsB, TopOrder=5)), 5.1, 0.1), Patch(Last(FirstN(Filter(colTempAllSubtopicsB, TopOrder=5), Value)), {SubTopOrder: RoundUp(Value, 2)})));
    Collect(colAllSubtopics, ForAll(Sequence(CountRows(Filter(colTempAllSubtopicsB, TopOrder=6)), 6.1, 0.1), Patch(Last(FirstN(Filter(colTempAllSubtopicsB, TopOrder=6), Value)), {SubTopOrder: RoundUp(Value, 2)})));
    Collect(colAllSubtopics, ForAll(Sequence(CountRows(Filter(colTempAllSubtopicsB, TopOrder=7)), 7.1, 0.1), Patch(Last(FirstN(Filter(colTempAllSubtopicsB, TopOrder=7), Value)), {SubTopOrder: RoundUp(Value, 2)})));
    Collect(colAllSubtopics, ForAll(Sequence(CountRows(Filter(colTempAllSubtopicsB, TopOrder=8)), 8.1, 0.1), Patch(Last(FirstN(Filter(colTempAllSubtopicsB, TopOrder=8), Value)), {SubTopOrder: RoundUp(Value, 2)})));
    Collect(colAllSubtopics, ForAll(Sequence(CountRows(Filter(colTempAllSubtopicsB, TopOrder=9)), 9.1, 0.1), Patch(Last(FirstN(Filter(colTempAllSubtopicsB, TopOrder=9), Value)), {SubTopOrder: RoundUp(Value, 2)})));
    Collect(colAllSubtopics, ForAll(Sequence(CountRows(Filter(colTempAllSubtopicsB, TopOrder=10)), 10.1, 0.1), Patch(Last(FirstN(Filter(colTempAllSubtopicsB, TopOrder=10), Value)), {SubTopOrder: RoundUp(Value, 2)})));

UpdateContext({IsLoading: true})

Where UpdateContext({IsLoading: true}) will display a modal dialog - which in this case is a set of controls in a container with a drop shadow to give the appearance of a modal dialog:

This modal dialog is a combo of a spinner svg and a timer that counts down from 60,000 milliseconds.

The OnTimerStart property is set to the following: (and allows the above collections to collect data from the various data sources to avoid data being missing from the generated PDF file - this was previously happening and hence why I implemented the timer functionality)

// Trigger the workflow when data is ready
'BSC-PowerApps-v2'.Run(htmlBody_1.HtmlText, varBuildingPhoto, Now(), varBuildingPhotoID, htmlBody_2.HtmlText, htmlBody_3.HtmlText, varItem.ID;)

The OnTimerEnd property is set to the following:

Refresh(DocData);
Set(IsLoading, false); // This will hide the spinner
UpdateContext({IsLoading: false})

It's worth noting what the backend code is used for in the three htmlBody htmlText controls in the app - as these are outputting the main HTML static template as well as dynamic information from the datasources/collections into the PDF:

varBody1 / htmlBody_1

<h2><font color=blue>BUILDING SAFETY CASE REPORT HEADINGS</font></h2>
<h3>COVER PAGE</h3> 
•Name and address of property: "&LookUp(Buildings,Title=varItem.spBuilding).Title & ", " &LookUp(Buildings,Title=varItem.spBuilding).Address   &"<br>
•National UPRN: "&LookUp(Buildings,Title=varItem.spBuilding).NatUPRN & "<br>
•LiveWest UPRN: "&LookUp(Buildings,Title=varItem.spBuilding).CxUPRN & "<br>
•BSR Code: "&LookUp(Buildings,Title=varItem.spBuilding).BSRAppNo & "<br>
"

varBody2 / htmlBody_2

"
<h3>CONTENTS PAGE</h3>
<h3>1.DOCUMENT CONTROL AND EXECUTIVE SUMMARY</h3>
1.1.Document control table: Test data<br> 
1.2.Executive summary with overarching claim, argument, and RAG rating<br><br>
"&LookUp(DocData,spBuilding=varItem.spBuilding).spSummary & "

<h3>2.GENERAL INFORMATION</h3>
2.1.Building name and address: "&LookUp(Buildings,Title=varItem.spBuilding).Title & ", " &LookUp(Buildings,Title=varItem.spBuilding).Address   &"<br>
2.2.Location and site description<br>
2.3.Relevant persons<br>
2.3.1. Building owner: "&LookUp(Buildings,Title=varItem.spBuilding).'Building Owner' & "<br>
2.3.2. Accountable person: "&LookUp(Buildings,Title=varItem.spBuilding).'Principal Accountable Person' & "<br>
2.3.3. Other accountable persons: "&LookUp(Buildings,Title=varItem.spBuilding).'Other Accountable Persons' & "<br>
2.3.4. Responsible persons<br>
2.3.4.1.Head of Building Safety: "&LookUp(Buildings,Title=varItem.spBuilding).'Head of Building Safety' & "<br>
2.3.4.2.Fire Safety Manager: "&LookUp(Buildings,Title=varItem.spBuilding).'Responsible Persons Under Fire Safety' & "<br>
2.3.4.3.Other responsible persons: "&LookUp(Buildings,Title=varItem.spBuilding).'Other Responsible Persons' & "<br>
2.4.The building<br>
2.4.1. Description of the building: "&LookUp(Buildings,Title=varItem.spBuilding).'Category of Provision' & "<br>
2.4.2. Design and construction: Test data<br> 
2.4.3. Refurbishments: Test data<br>
2.4.4.   Additional photos: Test data<br>

varBody3 / htmlBody_3 (this one seems to be where the issue is)

"
2.4.5. Floor plans: Test data<br>
2.4.6. Elevation plans: Test data<br>
2.4.7. Description of the site: Test data<br>
2.4.8. Site plan and map: Test data<br>
2.4.9. Utilities: Test data<br>
2.4.10. Resident profile: Test data<br>


<table>
"&

Concat(colSubtopics,
"<tr><td><H3>"& Order+2 &" " & Value&"</H3>
<table>
<tr><td><b>Claim</b></td></tr>
<tr><td>"&LookUp(TopicsClaims,Building=varItem.spBuilding).Claim&"</td?></tr>
"
&
Concat(Filter(colAllSubtopics,TopOrder=Order+2),
"<tr><td><H4>"& SubTopOrder & "  " & SubTop &"</H4></td></tr>

<tr><td><b>Argument</b></td></tr>
<tr><td>"&Arg&"<br><br></td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Evidence</b></td></tr>
<tr><td>"&Evid&"<br><br></td></tr>
"



)
    
    
&


"





</table>




</td></tr>"


)

&"
</table>

<h3>"& Value(Last(colSubtopics).Order+3) &". ONGOING WORKS AND IMPROVEMENTS (all free text)</h3>
"& Value(Last(colSubtopics).Order+3) &".1.External wall remediation programme<br>
"& Value(Last(colSubtopics).Order+3) &".2.Fire Risk Assessment actions<br>
"& Value(Last(colSubtopics).Order+3) &".3.Fire door works<br>
"& Value(Last(colSubtopics).Order+3) &".4.Internal compartmentation works<br>
<h3>"& Value(Last(colSubtopics).Order+4) &". THE BUILDING SAFETY CASE (all free text)</h3>
"& Value(Last(colSubtopics).Order+4) &".1.How evidence is provided for the Building Safety Case Report<br>
<h3>"& Value(Last(colSubtopics).Order+5) &". REVIEWING AND UPDATING THE BUILDING SAFETY CASE AND REPORT</h3>
<h3>"& Value(Last(colSubtopics).Order+6) &". CLOSING STATEMENT AND SIGN OFF BOX</h3>


<br><br>
<b>Cover Page</b> <br><br>
<table border='1' style='border: 1px solid black; border-collapse: collapse'>
<tr><td width='200px'>DATE OF REPORT:</td><td width='450px'>"&Text(Today(),"dd/mm/yyyy")&"</td></tr>
<tr><td>VERSION:</td><td>1.0</td></tr>
<tr><td>BSR CODE:</td><td>"&LookUp(Buildings,Title=varItem.spBuilding).BSRAppNo&"</td></tr>
<tr><td>NATIONAL UPRN:</td><td>"&LookUp(Buildings,Title=varItem.spBuilding).NatUPRN&"</td></tr>
<tr><td>LIVEWEST UPRN:</td><td>"&LookUp(Buildings,Title=varItem.spBuilding).CxUPRN&"</td></tr>
<tr><td>PREPARED BY:</td><td>"&varItem.'Created By'.DisplayName&"</td></tr>
<tr><td>APPROVED BY:</td><td>Test data</td></tr>


</table>

<br><br>
<b>Version Control</b> <br><br>
<table border='1' style='border: 1px solid black; border-collapse: collapse'>

<tr style='background-color:#efefef'><th>Version</th><th>Date</th><th>By Whom?</th><th>Reason</th></tr>
<tr><td width='100px' style='text-align:center'>1.0</td><td width='100px' style='text-align:center'>"&Text(Today(),"dd/mm/yyyy")&"</td><td width='200px' style='text-align:center'>"&varItem.'Created By'.DisplayName&"</td><td width='250px'>Test data</td></tr>

</table>

Now it's worth noting that the issue seems to be with varBody3 / htmlBody_3 as the data is displayed correctly in the Outputs of the Power Automate flow trigger - PowerApps (V2).

Here's an example of a recent output:

2.4.5.	 Floor plans: Test data<br>
2.4.6.	 Elevation plans: Test data<br>
2.4.7.	 Description of the site: Test data<br>
2.4.8.	 Site plan and map: Test data<br>
2.4.9.	 Utilities: Test data<br>
2.4.10.	 Resident profile: Test data<br>


<table>
<tr><td><H3>3 Fire Safety</H3>
<table>
<tr><td><b>Claim</b></td></tr>
<tr><td>The Claim for fire safety is we carry out regulatory checks on a regular basis</td?></tr>
<tr><td><H4>3.1  Emergency Information - Evacuation Procedure</H4></td></tr>

<tr><td><b>Argument</b></td></tr>
<tr><td>we have an evac plan these are held centrally at head office and copies are in each building<br><br></td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Evidence</b></td></tr>
<tr><td>S:\ASSET MANAGEMENT\Fire Safety Team\Premises Registers PEEPs and PCFRAs<br><br></td></tr>
<tr><td><H4>3.2  Emergency Information - Evacuation Procedure</H4></td></tr>

<tr><td><b>Argument</b></td></tr>
<tr><td>we have an evac plan these are held centrally at head office and copies are in each building<br><br></td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Evidence</b></td></tr>
<tr><td>S:\ASSET MANAGEMENT\Fire Safety Team\Premises Registers PEEPs and PCFRAs<br><br></td></tr>
<tr><td><H4>3.3  Emergency Information - Evacuation Procedure</H4></td></tr>

<tr><td><b>Argument</b></td></tr>
<tr><td>we have an evac plan these are held centrally at head office and copies are in each building<br><br></td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Evidence</b></td></tr>
<tr><td>S:\ASSET MANAGEMENT\Fire Safety Team\Premises Registers PEEPs and PCFRAs<br><br></td></tr>






</table>




</td></tr><tr><td><H3>4 Structural Safety</H3>
<table>
<tr><td><b>Claim</b></td></tr>
<tr><td>The Claim for fire safety is we carry out regulatory checks on a regular basis</td?></tr>
<tr><td><H4>4.1  Building Information - Completion Certificates (Building Control & PC)</H4></td></tr>

<tr><td><b>Argument</b></td></tr>
<tr><td>this will see if the report can show more multiple subtopics against a topic<br><br></td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Evidence</b></td></tr>
<tr><td>Hope this works this test will say so<br><br></td></tr>
<tr><td><H4>4.2  Building Information - Completion Certificates (Building Control & PC)</H4></td></tr>

<tr><td><b>Argument</b></td></tr>
<tr><td>this will see if the report can show more multiple subtopics against a topic<br><br></td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Evidence</b></td></tr>
<tr><td>Hope this works this test will say so<br><br></td></tr>






</table>




</td></tr><tr><td><H3>5 Resident Engagement</H3>
<table>
<tr><td><b>Claim</b></td></tr>
<tr><td>The Claim for fire safety is we carry out regulatory checks on a regular basis</td?></tr>
<tr><td><H4>5.1  Resident Engagement Strategy - BEING DEVELOPED. Including Customer Consultation/Engagement, Managing Fire Safety Concerns, LW Fire Safety Standard Information & Home User Guide</H4></td></tr>

<tr><td><b>Argument</b></td></tr>
<tr><td>this information added after v37 so should appear in version v38 time stamp 16:09<br><br></td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Evidence</b></td></tr>
<tr><td>The evidence will be that this works hip hip hurray<br><br></td></tr>






</table>




</td></tr>
</table>

<h3>6. ONGOING WORKS AND IMPROVEMENTS (all free text)</h3>
6.1.	External wall remediation programme<br>
6.2.	Fire Risk Assessment actions<br>
6.3.	Fire door works<br>
6.4.	Internal compartmentation works<br>
<h3>7. THE BUILDING SAFETY CASE (all free text)</h3>
7.1.	How evidence is provided for the Building Safety Case Report<br>
<h3>8. REVIEWING AND UPDATING THE BUILDING SAFETY CASE AND REPORT</h3>
<h3>9. CLOSING STATEMENT AND SIGN OFF BOX</h3>


<br><br>
<b>Cover Page</b> <br><br>
<table border='1' style='border: 1px solid black; border-collapse: collapse'>
<tr><td width='200px'>DATE OF REPORT:</td><td width='450px'>09/11/2023</td></tr>
<tr><td>VERSION:</td><td>1.0</td></tr>
<tr><td>BSR CODE:</td><td>001</td></tr>
<tr><td>NATIONAL UPRN:</td><td>348114</td></tr>
<tr><td>LIVEWEST UPRN:</td><td>100426572</td></tr>
<tr><td>PREPARED BY:</td><td>Taiwo Adoti</td></tr>
<tr><td>APPROVED BY:</td><td>Test data</td></tr>


</table>

<br><br>
<b>Version Control</b> <br><br>
<table border='1' style='border: 1px solid black; border-collapse: collapse'>

<tr style='background-color:#efefef'><th>Version</th><th>Date</th><th>By Whom?</th><th>Reason</th></tr>
<tr><td width='100px' style='text-align:center'>1.0</td><td width='100px' style='text-align:center'>09/11/2023</td><td width='200px' style='text-align:center'>Taiwo Adoti</td><td width='250px'>Test data</td></tr>

</table>

and in the PDF this repeating bit of data displays as this:

There's no need to display the Power Automate workflow as the data is being processed incorrectly in the app and outputted in an incorrect way in the initial flow trigger.

I appreciate all of this is a longshot however I've tried to detail everything as much as I can.

Appreciate any help with this.

Thanks!

Chris 🙂