how to open Excel files one by one in a loop from a folder in Power Automate Desktop flow with Example?

[Ahmedmuz]

Hi Everyone,

Can anyone help me how To open Excel files one by one in a loop from a folder in Power Automate Desktop flow with Example please?

[Agnius]

Use the Get files in folder action. This will result in a variable that has a list of files. Then use a For each loop to iterate through the list and use Launch Excel with the %CurrentItem% from the loop action as inputs. This will open each file one by one.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

If I have answered your question, please mark it as the preferred solution.

If you like my response, please give it a Thumbs Up.

If you are interested in Power Automate, you might want to follow me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/agnius-bartninkas/

[Ahmedmuz]

Thanks, but all the excel files opening at same time can you please help on this as well please...?
I want a single file to open then i will make corrections and close and the next excel file have to open. 

[Agnius]

If you use a For each, the %CurrentItem% will contain a variable with a single file reference. Use that in your Launch Excel action. Then perform all of your actions for corrections and closing Excel inside the loop, so it gets closed before you open the next one.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

If I have answered your question, please mark it as the preferred solution.

If you like my response, please give it a Thumbs Up.

If you are interested in Power Automate, you might want to follow me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/agnius-bartninkas/

[Ahmedmuz]

Can u give a example please as we new to PA .. if possible with SS

[Agnius · Accepted solution]

Here you go:

You can also copy the following code and paste it directly to your PAD designer. The actions will be created automatically:

Folder.GetFiles Folder: $'''C:\\RPA''' FileFilter: $'''*.xls*''' IncludeSubfolders: False FailOnAccessDenied: True SortBy1: Folder.SortBy.NoSort SortDescending1: False SortBy2: Folder.SortBy.NoSort SortDescending2: False SortBy3: Folder.SortBy.NoSort SortDescending3: False Files=> Files
LOOP FOREACH CurrentItem IN Files
    Excel.LaunchExcel.LaunchAndOpenUnderExistingProcess Path: CurrentItem Visible: False ReadOnly: False Instance=> ExcelInstance
    # Perform other Excel actions here
    Excel.CloseExcel.CloseAndSave Instance: ExcelInstance
END

You will obviously need to change the folder path in Get files in folder. I also applied a filter there to only include Excel files.

The flow will then loop through the files in a For each loop, open the file and close it.

You will need to add some actions for modifying your Excel file where I've put the Comment action. I assume you are able to do those yourself. You have not described the modifications needed anyway.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
If I have answered your question, please mark it as the preferred solution.
If you like my response, please give it a Thumbs Up.

If you are interested in Power Automate, you might want to follow me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/agnius-bartninkas/