When an item is modified keeps triggering

[cole3005]

I have a list that a user updates using a powerapps form and flow. when the user submits this form which updates the list, another user goes in to edit some fields in the form which is meant to update a few columns in that same list.

One of these modified columns is a person look up column that returns a person display name and the other columns are choice columns. I also have some columns that update when one column is filled by the user using the form.

For some reason, everything in flow seems to be working fine but i keep having the flow send me multiple emails over and over again even if the conditions have been met. Looks like something keeps triggering the workflow over and over again. 

The string variable is to ensure in the emails sent out, the strategic goal column which is a multiple value column captures multiple values in the emailThis is where the email action is. This is the email that keeps triggering eveytimeI have 10 cases under the switch that update data in a sharepoint list when a column value is entered, it updates another column in the same sharepoint listThese conditions update another sharepoint list with the same valuesThese are the different sharepoint lists

Please help, its so frustrating!!!

[Gristy]

are you updating the same item in this flow? That will cause it to keep triggering for ever and you will need to cancel the run whilst it is running, before it has done an update to stop it.

Best thing to do is have a hidden column like StartFlow Yes/No and then do a trigger condition so that it does not repeat its self over and over.

[cole3005]

Yes i am updating the same item. How do i use the Yes/No column to manage more than one column in the list that requires updating?

[Gristy]

i make a single line of text field called StartFlow default value Yes

I then make my flow conditional trigger as follows: (Settings on the trigger)

@equals(triggerBody()?['StartFlow'],'Yes')

In your update item action, change the value in the field from Yes to something else i.e No

[cole3005]

Thanks @Gristy . I tried the solution but the workflow still keeps firing emails non stop.

Any other alternative solutions? Thanks

[Gristy]

Hey mate my solution works fantastically, there must be something you have gotten wrong, feel free to share screenshots showing how you have configured it. the Trigger information and settings, and also the update item configuraiton would be great.

[cole3005]

Actually, the command worked. But when an item is modified, no action is triggered.

Only when a new item is entered, then the flow is triggered. Not sure if  did anything wrong but i changed the "StartFlow" on all the "Update Item" actions from "Yes" to "No". Was that right? or how do i make the flow trigger when i modify columns in the item?

Thanks. 

[Gristy]

Ok no worries - i handle this by changing it in my form when a user is modifying a item.

For your  scenario i do the following:

1) use a service account for the flow i.e. a account that will never modify/create a item in normal usage

2) use the trigger condition: 

@not(equals(triggerBody()?['Editor']?['Email'],'svcaccount@domain.com'))

[cole3005]

Where do i put that command line?

Here is a screenshot of my current situation.

Same as second screenshotHere is the scenario i am trying to trigger when the item is modifiedI still have the first ocommand in the first line as shown here

[Gristy]

Hi,

If you have no way to alter the value in your form i.e. default sharepoint forms. then use service account and the following:

@not(equals(triggerBody()?['Editor']?['Email'],'svcaccount@domain.com'))

this says if the person who modified the item is not that email then run, otherwise not run.

If the flow runs as your account then that will need to be your login, but its recommended to make/license a separate account for your flows.

[cole3005]

So this command [@not(equals(triggerBody()?['Editor']?['Email'],'svcaccount@domain.com')) ] basically replaces the command [@equals(triggerBody()?['StartFlow'],'Yes')] you sent me earlier on the "when an item is modified" trigger?

Thanks

[Gristy · Accepted solution]

Yes that and the column you can delete. Just replace the email with the one from the update item connection

[cole3005]

@Gristy Thank you. That worked well.

I have two scenarios:

1. if i wanted to update a list item column with values from another item column.
2. If i wanted to update a list item column value such that when i enter a value, it says "review" in another item column as a value.

For example:

1. A resource item column value is IT and i wanted to update another item column with the same value (IT). Basically, if i entered IT, the other item column will automatically update to IT
2. A resource item column value is IT and i wanted to update another item column with a different value (HR). Basically, if i entered IT, the other item column will automatically update to HR

How do i go about this?

Thanks.

[Gristy]

your easiest way is to use condition's to compare two values and then take action on whether the condition is true or false.

[drmrbrewer]

@Gristy if you set StartFlow to No, then presumably it will never run again?  What if you want the flow to trigger on the next relevant property change?

[Gristy]

So I typically control that via the user form or workflow as required I.e power apps or plumsail