OneDrive File Created Trigger will not fire if file sent to OneDrive from Microsoft Lens iPhone App

[RBH007]

Hi All

I have a basic flow (from template and created a duplicate from scratch) that consists of:

1. Trigger: 'When a file is created' in a specific OneDrive folder (folder named 'Receipts')
2. Action: Send email notification (v3) to a specific email address and include new file as attachment

The workflow I am having issue with is the following:

1. Scan document using Microsoft Lens from iPhone 12 Pro
2. Export from Microsoft Lens directly into OneDrive
   (Default folder is named 'Office Lens' in the root OneDrive folder for the account)
3. Move new file from default 'Office Lens' folder to the 'Receipts' folder specified in the trigger
4. Trigger DOES NOT fire.

Notes:

1. I am using MacOS and the OneDrive sync client
2. This flow has been tested on both a Personal and Business Microsoft accounts with the same result
3. When I copy a file from email into the 'Office Lens' folder the entire flow works perfectly
4. When I copy a file from a location outside of OneDrive from my computer (E.g. iCloud) into the 'Receipts' folder the entire flow works perfectly
5. When I copy a file from a location outside of OneDrive from my computer (E.g. iCloud) into the 'Office Lens' folder and then move to the 'Receipts' folder the flow DOES NOT work
6. IMPORTANT: When I edit the flow in the browser and click on the 'Test' button my Microsoft Lens workflow above works and the entire flow works perfectly

Summary of my problem: OneDrive File Created Trigger will not fire if file sent to OneDrive from Microsoft Lens iPhone App

Obviously when in 'Live' mode (E.g. Not in Test) the trigger does not treat the MOVE from another OneDrive folder as a NEW file.  But why does it work in test mode?  In my case I am really wanting a 'When file moved' trigger which is how it behaves in 'Test' mode.

Has anyone else experienced the same issue and have a workaround?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Expiscornovus]

Hi @RBH007,

Like you already stated, I believe this move behaviour doesn't trigger the action and that is unfortunately by design.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/connectors/onedriveforbusiness/#triggers

When a file is created

This operation triggers a flow when a new file is created in a folder. Files larger than 50 MB will be skipped and not returned by this trigger. Files moved within OneDrive are not considered new files.

As a workaround I would try the trigger the flow whenever the file is created within the Office Lens folder and setup a move file/copy file action to the Receipts folder within your flow.

[RBH007 · Accepted solution]

Thanks for your response @Expiscornovus 

Unfortunately this Office Lens folder sees a lot more files than just receipts.  I wouldn't want to send everything to QuickBooks.  This workaround would also work if you had the ability to choose the folder when creating a PDF from Microsoft Lens however this isn't currently an option.

My workaround is to use the iPhone Files app for scanning and then move the files from iCloud to OneDrive using Mac Automator.  From their PowerAutomate/Outlook fowarding rule takes over to send the file as an email to QuickBooks.

Thanks again

[jermMM]

Your comment about file size limit was very helpful! My flow wasn't triggering for new mp4 files and I wasn't sure why. It appears there is still a file size restriction.

Fortunately, the "When a file is created (properties only)" version of the OneDrive for Business trigger doesn't seem to have that limitation and works a treat!

Thanks!