Excel table column count

[Christo1]

Is there any way to get number of columns in excel file?
I need to get number of columns in excel file when an file is create in OneDrive

For example, if excel file contains columns named as "customer ID, Name" then the output should be 2

[DamoBird365 · Accepted solution]

Hi  @Christo1 

You could try excel office scripts.  

This will return the number of columns to Power Automate via the Excel Script Action.

Here is the basic script:

function main(workbook: ExcelScript.Workbook) {
	// Get the first worksheet 
	const sheet = workbook.getFirstWorksheet();

	//get active range of WorkSheet
	let range = sheet.getUsedRange().getColumnCount();

	console.log(range)
	return(range)
}

I've a few Office Script demo's on my YouTube if it is of interest.

If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.
Cheers,
Damien

P.S. take a look at my new blog here and like & subscribe to my YouTube Channel thanks 😉

[Christo1]

Hi @DamoBird365 

Is there any other ways to get number of columns in excel?
I have no access to run scripts in excel.

[DamoBird365]

HI @Christo1 

Office Scripts are only available in Excel Online.  What problem are you experiencing access this?

In terms of another solution, if the excel file has a table, you could use the lists rows action and limit it to the first row.  Then count the number of key/values in the first object of the array returned (Minus 2 - as there are optional key/values returned).  You will need to convert the object into an array so that you can use the length expression, hence the expression to replace [ ] { } with '' and then split.  

This worked for me as a proof of concept:

I updated my table headers from 2 to 3 and the flow detected this succesfully.  There's no doubt that the Office Script is easier.

If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.
Cheers,
Damien

P.S. take a look at my new blog here and like & subscribe to my YouTube Channel thanks 😉

[Christo1]

Thank you @DamoBird365 

      I have one more doubt, I am bit confused in compose 2 and compose 3 action. Will you please give the expression which I need to give for compose 2 and compose 3 actions?

[DamoBird365 · Accepted solution]

Hi @Christo1 

The expressions are on the screenshot as comments.  When building a replace, you can do this in stages if it makes it easier for you to understand.  I.e. multiple compose actions.

replace(string(output('compose')),'[','')

you want to replace the [ ] { } with ''.

The 2nd expression is also in the comments.  It's often worth building these in stages so that you understand it.

add(,-2) #adds -2 to the number

split(outputs('compose_2'),',') #splits the string from compose_2 on a comma and creates an array

length() #returns the length of the array.

If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.
Cheers,
Damien

P.S. take a look at my new blog here and like & subscribe to my YouTube Channel thanks 😉

[Christo1]

Thank you @DamoBird365 

Is there and way to count no of columns from CSV file
Scenario will be like
When an new csv file is created in OneDrive count no of columns or number of cells from first row

[DamoBird365]

Hi @Christo1 

It's exactly the same idea.

col1,col2,col3,col4

you split the string by a comma and create an array and then check the length (no need for a add expression for this one).  I've actually written a blog post on how to parse ANY csv from windows, linux or mac here https://www.damobird365.com/how-to-parse-a-csv-to-json-array-flow/

A CSV has the delimiter and line ending characters (i.e. a return).  You can split the CSV by the return to create an array of rows and then split the first row by a comma and count the length.

If you want to better understand arrays, take a look at this short demo https://youtu.be/6nJSUNh579w

If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.
Cheers,
Damien

P.S. take a look at my new blog here and like & subscribe to my YouTube Channel thanks 😉

[Christo1]

Hi @DamoBird365 
I have splited the strings using comma now I facing issue with next step, while checking the length the output is like length of whole stings (400) but I need only total number of columns. My csv file contains only 5 columns 

[DamoBird365]

Hi @Christo1 

When you split the string, it should give you an array.  Length can return string length or array size.  Sounds like you are using length on the orignal string and not the new array.

If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.
Cheers,
Damien

P.S. take a look at my new blog here and like & subscribe to my YouTube Channel thanks 😉

[Christo1]

Hi @DamoBird365 
Thank you for your help
I think I am wrong in some where
My input file will be this


So the output should be no of columns as 4

Now coming to flow as you said I have splited the stings using compose action by below expression

split(outputs('Get_file_content')?['body'],',')


What will be the next step to find length?

If possible can you share the image of flow for me with expression for each action?

[DamoBird365]

Hi @Christo1 

I will pick this up on your specific post https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/General-Power-Automate/How-to-count-number-of-cells-in-first-row...

Damien