Populate a microsoft word template based on Form responses and conditional logic

[JayH]

Hi
I'm looking to create a document based on a Word template using responses from a Form. I would like to include conditional logic so that if a user selects 'A', then paragraph 1 is retained within the document and paragraph 2 is removed. If the user selects 'B' then paragraph 2 is retained and 1 is removed. I have the template, Form and document being updated on the responses but would appreciate guidance on building the conditional logic based on the Form response.

[DamoBird365 · Accepted solution]

Hi @JayH 

If you've already got your word template, I would create two compose actions, one for each paragraph (and just paste in the text) and then use an if expression in you word template action (albeit I have done this within a compose for the example below)

Your if expression would be 

if(equals(triggerBody()['formanswer'],'A'),'outputs('Paragraph1'),outputs('Paragraph2'))

A good word template demo is here if you don't already have that in place.  You would only need one content control for this solution.

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

[JayH]

Thanks 

I seem to get an Error! Missing test condition  in the word document when its generated. 

im using the flow below with the if statement in word. 

[DamoBird365]

Hey @JayH 

You'll need to share more details with me, the error, maybe the action where it occurs?

Thanks

Damien

[JayH]

Hey - im capturing details in a form to generate a document (name, invoice number, and a random field where the user selects A or B).  if the input is A then paragraph 1 should be presented and if not then paragraph 2 in the document. 

The document seems to be generating ok with the name, invoice number populated based on the form input but the if statement doesnt appear to be working, instead giving me the error (the error appears on the word document in place of the if statement). 

i've created two compose actions just before the populate a word template action and have the if statement in the word template. 

does that help?

[DamoBird365]

Hi @JayH 

Sounds like you've not used the expression builder, so it's literally just passing the string to the word doc.  You need to make sure that when creating an equivalent expression you and not in the dynamic content tab but the expression tab.  You will be able to see in the history of the run how the expression is being evaluated - if at all - as it sounds like a string right now.

Damien

[DamoBird365]

Hi @JayH 

How are you getting on?

Damien

[liamduff88]

Hi Damien,

I am trying to do a similar thing. the link to the template demo doesn't exist any more.  I am new to microsoft 365 could you give me a bit more information on how to set this up.

 Thanks

[DamoBird365]

Hi @liamduff88 ,

I am working on a video for this concept as I have had a few requests of late.  The demo will show how to use a Microsoft Form to dynamically populate sections of a word file using a Microsoft list for the text of each section.  Each section is optional based on a yes/no answer on the form.  I will demo this with both a single text control and via a repeating control.  Each section will also be able to have a running section number.

Hopefully that will capture most of your requirements.  I will post the link to the video here once it's up.

Damien

[liamduff88]

Thanks Damien,

I look forward to your video. Would you be able to add the logic on how to send one of two emails depending on the answer to a form question?

Thanks.

Liam

[HeatherGLong]

I am still struggling with this.  Is there additional instruction?

[Dr_Watts]

This sounds awesome.  Have you made this yet as I'd love to see it for creating risk assessment documents?  Thanks, Simon

[DamoBird365]

Hi there @Dr_Watts 

I did 😱 but forgot to share. Here is the link Create Dynamic Word Document with Power Automate & Microsoft Forms
https://youtu.be/8PUFodSc5BY

I’ve also put together a demo of dynamic population of strings in Power Apps also, using placeholders. Here it is also : Power Apps Dynamic Text Strings | Documents | Prompts | Paragraphs #PowerApps
https://youtu.be/Zex-jooO5io

Cheers
Damien

Please take a look and subscribe to my YouTube Channel for more Power Platform ideas and concepts. Thanks

[Dr_Watts]

Hi @DamoBird365 ,

You are a star and I think this is going to come in very useful.  Still very much a newbie but just generated a work form for the engineers that will create dynamic (ish) documents for job methodology and risk based on a few inputs and then e-mail it to the client e-mail put in the form.

Once I get my head round these videos it will add another layer so many thanks.

Simon

[BVJB]

Hi Damien, do you know if it's possible to conditionally delete a paragraph in a word template based on form data using Populate Word?

[DamoBird365]

Hi @BVJB 

You cannot delete from Word, but you can conditionally include a paragraph. This is covered in my video above based on the sections yes/no.

Damien

[BVJB]

Thanks Damien, great video! I have a few questions for ya... 🙂
1. Can I conditionally include headings to show in a formatted in heading style in the word report and is it possible to Page Break them to show on the next page?
2. How does this method deal with blank lines. e.g. if I have say 4 single line sentence options and I only want options 1 and 4 to show. Will there be two blank lines between 1 and 4 in the generated word report?
3. With my current software I have a 55 word template which has conditional deleting all through it (essentially allows me to have 1 template rather than 5 templates).  Could your method be a bit slow to generate the word document because of how many conditions I have. If so, would I be better of trying an alternative method like generating to HTML with conditional formatting then converting to Word from there? I really want a word report to generate that I can edit when need be. 

Cheers, Jamie.