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Setting a File Path of a shared Drive as a Variable

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Posted on by Rivaash

Hi. I Hope someone can help me understand.

I have Created a flow to Retrieve and copy the files from a shared Drive into another Shared Drive and then on my Desktop.

I have Listed the full file path - \\**DriveName\**DriveFolders.... I noticed that whenever i close the flow it Removes one of the Slashs'

and makes the Variable - \**DriveName\**DriveFolders and whenever i try to run the flow the next day, or the next time i open the Application it gives me an Error at that line.

I thought of creating a seperate Variable - \\ and then the main File Path Variable to be the New Variable + the other variable (Remainder of the file path)

When i do that and Save the flow, If i close the flow and open it again it Gives me an error

How would I Go about setting the file path

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Nived_Nambiar 18,129 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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Hi @Rivaash

once you set the variable and ran the flow, were you able to list files/folders there using that action ?

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Nived N 🚀

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Rivaash 10 on at

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Hi Nived.

Yes, i was able to. Infact, the files moved to its destination folder. It always Worked for as long as the Flow remained opened on the desktop.

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Nived_Nambiar 18,129 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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Hi @Rivaash

for me using \\ in set variable action & then saving and closing flow again does not change it to single slash

Could you confirm that you are trying like this only ?

Thanks & Regards,
Nived N 🚀

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Rivaash 10 on at

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Hi Nived, Yes. That is how i type the file path. I have managed to work a way around this, By putting the Files location based on the shared drive mapping, and it seems to work if i use the shared drive mapping instead of the full file path location.

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Rivaash 10 on at

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Hi Nived, If it helps to mention im using PAD with Power FX enabled.

I have managed to work a way around this simply by using the Mapped Location instead of the full Path, maybe its an issue caused by the Power FX being enabled for this flow. if you find a way to work around this please do let me know for the reason of me sharing flows later on.

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Nived_Nambiar 18,129 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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Hi @Rivaash

You are right , PowerFx seems to be not taking double slash - converting it to single slash after opening the flow agan - seems to be a bug 🤔

@Deenuji @Agnius any thoughts ?

Thanks & Regards,
Nived N 🚀

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Deenuji_Loganathan_ 6,250 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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@Nived_Nambiar and @Rivaash

What version of PAD are you using?
I've successfully assigned the full path of my network file to a variable, and it's working perfectly. Could you assist me in replicating the issue?

Thanks,
Deenuji Loganathan 👩‍💻
Automation Evangelist 🤖
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Nived_Nambiar 18,129 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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Hi @Deenuji

It is latest version only

So the issue is whenever we set path of network drive to a variable and then save it and then open the same flow again , the double slash will be converted to single slash.

if this is the file path > \\data\RPAData, after saving & closing the file > once you open the flow again the file looks like this > \data\RPAData.

This is happening in PowerFx enabled flows.

Hope this information helps !

Thanks & Regards,
Nived N 🚀

LinkedIn: Nived N's LinkedIn
YouTube: Nived N's YouTube Channel
Blog: Nived Nambiar's Blogs

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Deenuji_Loganathan_ 6,250 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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@Rivaash and @Nived_Nambiar

I suspect there's a bug in PAD version 2.42.317. I've tested it in versions 2.42.002 and 2.41.x, and it's functioning properly.

I suggest upgrading from version 2.42.317 to version 2.43.204(which is released three days back). It seems to work well in this version too.

Thanks,
Deenuji Loganathan 👩‍💻
Automation Evangelist 🤖
Follow me on LinkedIn 👥

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Rivaash 10 on at

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Hi Deenuji.

Thank you i will do, I've switched over from Power Fx to avoid this issue going forward. i will definitely update the version

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