Unanswered

Clear array variable in a flow

(4) Share

Report

Posted on by Kamil

I have a working flow with for each loop. In loop i'm using array variable to build a list of item to send it in e-mail. In next loop i need to use the same variable, but I want to start adding to empty array. How to set array variable to be "blank new" for next iteration of loop?

Categories:

Building flows

I have the same question (0)

All responses (10)

Answers (1)

Verified answer

v-xida-msft on at

Like (20)

Report
Hi @Kamil,

Could you please share a screenshot of your flow's configuration?

Do you want to set the array variable to empty for next iteration of loop?

I think a empty array variable could achieve your needs, I have made a test on my side and please take a try with the following workaround:

Add a proper trigger, here I use Flow Button trigger.

Add a Variables-> "Initialize variable" action, Name set to GlobeArray, Typre set to Array and Value set to empty.

Add a "Get items" action, specify Site Address and List Name.

Add a "Apply to each" aciton, input parameter set to output of the "Get items" action. Within "Apply to each", add a "Append to array variable" action, Name choose GlobeArray, Value set to Due Time dynamic content of the "Get items" action.

Under "Apply to each" action, add a "Compose" action, Inputs set to GlobeArray variable.

Add a Variables-> "Initialize variable 2" action, Name set to EmptyArray, Type set to Array and Value set to empty.

Add a "Set variable" action, Name choose GlobeArray variable, Value set to EmptyArray variable.

Image reference:

The flow works successfully as below:

The value of GlobeArray variable after first iteration of loop as below:

The value of GlobeArray variable after clearing array as below:

Best regards,

Kris

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
Kamil 22 on at

Like (0)

Report

Thanks for help.

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
Community Power Pla... on at

Like (7)

Report

You can also do a Set Variable with a value of null.

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
Community Power Pla... on at

Like (1)

Report

I have used the approach of setting the variable equal to null, however it stopped working about a week ago. Has the syntax of the "null" function changed?

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
VivekVerma 10 on at

Like (4)

Report

Hi

You can just set variable to "[ ]" this will empty you

Thanks and Regards
Vivek Verma

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
cbboatwr 16 on at

Like (7)

Report

I'm not sure if the solution provided answer the user's question ... perhaps it did. But that shows how to reset an array after a loop as completed, as opposed to resetting for each iteration of the loop ... a scenario I think probably more common. Like if you were looping thru a list of managers and e-mailing that manager an array processed within the loop ... you'd want that array reset each time so one manager didn't get a cumulative listing of all preceding manager's info.

In this case, you still use the "Set variable" and set the variable's value to "[]" (empty array) WITHIN the lop ... however, you also have to set the loop's Concurrency Control. You need to turn it on and set the degree of parallelism to 1 ... this ensures the array is access by multiple parallel operations of the loop. You get to the settings by click the "..." and selecting "Settings" on the "Apply to each" control

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
KashifZH 35 on at

Like (1)

Report

You don't know how much that answer helped me! Thanks so much. This is such a common scenario as you'd want to reuse an array.

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
JohnNovember 11 on at

Like (0)

Report

@Kamil Please consider marking this as the answer. At the end of the loop (before it resets), use "Set Variable" with "[]" as the value. Less steps and variables required.

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
SureshPaul 4 on at

Like (0)

Report

You should use the "clear list" if it is a list variable (array)

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
SureshPaul 4 on at

Like (0)

Report

Please use clear list as in the below screen shot

clear list.png

Was this reply helpful? Yes No