Dataverse Record with an optional date column

[anadam1124]

Hi

I need an expert's advice.

I am trying to create a record in a Dataverse table using "Add a new row" action with an optional date column. In the data source, this date column can have some value but can also be blank. How can I specify the value of this column in "Add a new row" action? Neither blank nor null is rejected with the error message of "...  required to be of type 'String/date-time'".

Any way to avoid this error message?

[FLMike]

Hi @anadam1124 

When you typed null, did you go to the Expression tab and typed null, which brings up the expression (null) or did you type it in as a string.

Same for Blank() was it typed in the expression window or in the Dynamic Window or directly in the column value.

Also, can you just double double check (thats like quad check right lol) its optional?

Can you share the Action itself, with null as the value?

Now I dont know if you would literally type null, so then can you share your Expression? Like Coalesce? where you typed in your expression.

If you like my answer, I would really appreciate if you please Mark it as Resolved, and give it a thumbs up, so it can help others

Cheers

Thank You
Michael Gernaey MCT | MCSE | MCP | Self-Contractor| Ex-Microsoft
https://gernaeysoftware.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelgernaey

[anadam1124]

Thank you, Michael.
I use a variable for this field, and when the value in the data source is like "2023/10/13", it works. When the data source is blank, I set the variable as null and it does not work.

{

    "inputs": {

        "name": "InvoiceDate",

        "value": "@{null}"

    }

}

Blank does not work either.

The column is optional and clearing the field on a form does not give any error.

There has to be a value with some kind of format that the system expects and I am confused.

[FLMike]

Hi @anadam1124 

Can you share with me how you are doing this? In a standard Add a Row, you would not how that JSON.

You would have something more like Coalesce(MyValue, myValue, null) where null is just literally null (expression) so this checks if your value is null/blank and either returns it or null

But the above confuses me how you are creating it. If you dont mind taking a snap shot of your Add a Row please.

If you like my answer, I would really appreciate if you please Mark it as Resolved, and give it a thumbs up, so it can help others

Cheers

Thank You
Michael Gernaey MCT | MCSE | MCP | Self-Contractor| Ex-Microsoft
https://gernaeysoftware.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelgernaey

[anadam1124]

Hi Michael, this is how it looks like and let me know if there is any way to avoid the error. Thank you.

[FLMike]

@anadam1124 

Thank you so much that's a perfect snapshot and really helpful!!  Let's do a couple things, apologies, I should have asked before. 

1. Please can you go to your table definition, look at your column list and verify if the date column is required, and if you dont mind sharing a snap shot.

2. above your Add row action, can you add a Compose and put your variable in there, so we can see what value (null or a value) its trying to save when you have that error.

--To do this, you may need to add it below the Add. Then once its added, grab and drag the Add below it.

3. Can you try setting the column value to just null (expression) don't use the variable and see if that works. 

4. lastly if #3 doesn't work, please try this, instead of null put "" (literally the double quotes 2 times).

Hopefully these will only take a few minutes and I believe will solve your issue.

If you like my answer, I would really appreciate if you please Mark it as Resolved, and give it a thumbs up, so it can help others

Cheers

Thank You
Michael Gernaey MCT | MCSE | MCP | Self-Contractor| Ex-Microsoft
https://gernaeysoftware.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelgernaey

[anada1124]

Thank you, Michael.
I found this yesterday
https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Building-Power-Apps/Update-the-date-type-column-to-blank-Power-A...
And specifying a formula for the column in "Add a new row" action worked. 

     if(empty(variables('PostingDate')), null, variables('PostingDate'))
The value from the data source is set in the variable "Posting Date" and with this formula, no value is set in the column of the Dataverse record if the value from the data source is null and I do not have any error message.

I will also try what you suggested but at least I found a sort of workaround.

[FLMike · Accepted solution]

Hi @anada1124 

Thats what I said long before to do, in my response, its literally what my entire response states... (what you typed).

Coalesce(MyValue, myValue, null)

which is the way to do it versus an if. And my step 3 and 4 say to do just that... Sorry just I answered it multiple times but seems you didn't actually do those things, which is frustrating.

I figured you had tried it and it didn't work.

If you like my answer, I would really appreciate if you please Mark it as Resolved, and give it a thumbs up, so it can help others

Cheers

Thank You
Michael Gernaey MCT | MCSE | MCP | Self-Contractor| Ex-Microsoft
https://gernaeysoftware.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelgernaey

[anadam1124]

Thank you, Michael.