Add rows into an Excel file that is dynamically created

[JohnMacDougall]

I'm am using flow to copy an Excel template to a new folder in SharePoint. The folder is dynamically created, so the folder and template file do not exist before the flow runs. I then want to add rows into a table inside the newly created template file in the new folder.

It seems I can't dynamically reference this path and file to use the add rows to table action. I get the error message "Cannot evaluate the parameter 'path.$.file' at design-time; it is empty or has a runtime expression." if I try a dynamical reference.

Any clever workarounds to achieve the same thing?

[v-yamao-msft]

Hi @JohnMacDougall ,

Thanks for feedback.

The issue could be reproduced by me.

I am afraid that it is a known issue for Excel online connector that dynamic contents are not supported in File and Table field.

Here is one of the similar requests on Flow Ideas Forum, please vote it at here:

https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Flow-Ideas/Dynamic-content-in-File-amp-Table-inputs-Excel-Busine...

Best regards,

Mabel

[wbeedge]

There is a solution ref: https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Connecting-To-Data/Can-t-set-dynamic-quot-file-quot-value-for-ex...

[manuelstgomes]

HI @wbeedge, @JohnMacDougall, and @v-yamao-msft 

I created a template with a workaround for this issue. You can find the explanation and the template here:

https://manueltgomes.com/microsoft/flow/how-to-access-dynamic-path-excel/

Hope it helps you

If I have answered your question, please mark your post as Solved.
If you like my response, please give it a Thumbs Up.
​
Cheers
Manuel

[Jorge83]

I had similar problem last week and after a lot of workaround I found kind of solution that works for me. I had an excel template that needed to fill as demand, so I needed not to use the template but a copy each time and get tables from it, delete them and refill.

So, I used the copy file by path from Ondrive connector and for every get table or delete a row actions I used ID variable from the copy file action as the file option and it works. Then I had problems with the add row action, doesnt work the same way, but if I removed the selected document place and I wrote the conector name of it also with the ID as the file option, it suddenly worked for me.

Hope it helps

[Anonymous]

Can you please show us with images? I don't quite understand what you did.

[Lukas1]

Hi @Jorge83,  I have the same issue than you had when trying to add new rows to an excel file and still can't figure it out. Can you please describe in more detail how you fixed it? Thanks!

[kitUser]

I have the same problem. Any luck?

[Lukas1]

@kitUser No, I gave up on this...

[Anonymous]

You have to get the file metadata, and then use the ID from the metadata. I get the Full Path from Looping through SharePoint Files and making sure it is the same name.

 

[nonono_username]

Hi Manuel, in you blog your example shows how to list rows from the table. Do you know how to add rows to that table?

[wbeedge]

Hi,

I have started to use excel scripts to insert data into tables iso the excel connectors in Power Automate.
Please have a look here: Convert CSV files to Excel workbooks - Office Scripts | Microsoft Learn

[nonono_username]

I found the answer thanks to Norm Young's article Export Microsoft List data to Excel – Norm Young
When you enter a dynamic "File" name and a custom "Table" name as a variable or as a function like concat('myTableName') in the "Add a row into a table" action, a new field named "Row" will appear. In it you can add an object like this:

{
    "ColumnName1":"Value1",
    "ColumnName2":"Value2"
}

[nerfherder]

@nonono_username omg JSON duh thank you so much if this works i will owe you a big one

[nerfherder]

u BEAUTY. DM me your venmo plz and ill figure out a present for Norm

[nonono_username]

haha no need a present, your thanks is enough. Credits to Norm Young

Happy 2023!

[KarelVGH]

Wow this really did the trick easily, thank you so much for solving this issue!

For anyone else still in pain, let me explain how you can set this up:

1. Take this worksheet/table as an example, I already know what the tableheaders are because it's a template that is duplicated in my flow:

2. You simply map the tableheaders inside a JSON object, then you add this object in the 'row' parameter: