Need Help with Power Automate Expression - Time Critical

[SueA]

The column Vaccinated is an Yes/No field in a SharePoint List. To avoid Null value under the column, I have an expression below in the Recurrence Flow that gives me an error that "empty" cannot be used for a Boolean value. So, what else can I use for Boolean column value to achieve the same result?

if(empty(items('Apply_to_each')?['Vaccinated']), false, bool(items('Apply_to_each')?['Vaccinated']))

I am trying to see if the value for a column "Vaccinated" is empty for a new record then place "false" else use the given value when a record is inserted.

Thanks,

[Expiscornovus · Accepted solution]

Hi @SueA,

Can you share a screenshot of your Vaccinated column (of type Yes/No). Just want to validate the settings of the column which you are using.

Normally, a Yes/No column has a default value and would not have a null value whenever you create a new item in the list.

1. Below is an example of the settings I was using in my test. As you can see the default value is No.

2. When running a test with the Get Items the value already is false. So, I don't have to check for a null value.

[SueA · Accepted solution]

Hi Expiscornovus:

You are right. Normally, that would had been the case. However, in my case, the process is a bit involved. My file comes from a BI report in an XML format. I dump the data into a staging SP List via a FLOW where Vaccinated column is a single line of Text and then depending on the Add, Update or Delete record, I have a Parent/Child scenario where data are processed into a Master List. My staging list could have value Empty or Yes or a No for the Vaccinated column and I need to place in my flow an expression to make sure that it is converted to a Boolean value. 

The following expression seem to have worked without an issue.

if(empty(items('Apply_to_each_2')?['Exempt from Vaccine']), false, bool(items('Apply_to_each_2')?['Exempt from Vaccine']))

But, the below one gave me an error! I tried a few times.

if(empty(items('Apply_to_each_2')?['Vaccinated']), false, bool(items('Apply_to_each_2')?['Vaccinated']))

After, I drafted my above response to you, I tried one more time to see what is happening this morning. After shutting the computer and restarting the whole thing, I tried one more time and it seem to have worked! For a totally unknown reason, it kept giving me the same error time after time last night and I went into a panic mode as this project is under the gun and a high profile one! I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

None the less, I truly appreciate and thank you for considering the issue.

Have nice day!

w/ regards, SueA.

[Expiscornovus · Accepted solution]

Hi @SueA,

Thanks for clarifying that you are using a single line of text in a staging list. A single line of text field (when not set to required) of course could be empty 😁. Your question from the opening post makes more sense now.

And glad to hear it is not an issue anymore and it works now. Good luck with your project.