Power Automate flow running on its own?

(1) Share

Report

Posted on by Ann_DAS

115

Maybe I am overthinking this but here goes.

I have a Power Automate flow that runs when an item or file is modified. (My emphasis added)

It has been running without issue until just lately. Looking at the run history, I found this flow has run without an item being modified. How is this possible? For example, this list item was edited last week and today but the flow (Do Not Reply) ran all by itself yesterday.

Any ideas on what's going on?

Categories:

Building flows

I have the same question (0)

All responses (8)

Answers (1)

trice602 15,402 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

Like (0)

Report

Hi,

Add a trigger condition to only trigger when certain columns are updated. That will prevent this from launching on minor updates such as someone add a comment or editing some small detail.

Here's an example: I only want to flow to trigger if the status is Completed.

@equals(triggerOutputs()?['body/Status/Value'], 'Completed')

So in the above example, minor updates or updates we don't necessarily care about in automation will not trigger the flow unless the status is Completed.

Trigger condition is in the "..." of the trigger.

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

⭐ If this was helpful, please like and mark as a verified answer to help others find this too!

Always glad to help! 💯💯💯💯💯

Tom

Follow me on LinkedIn - Thomas Rice, PMP | LinkedIn

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
Ann_DAS 115 on at

Like (0)

Report

Hi Tom,

Thanks for the help. I've set it up to look only for changes to certain things but my issue is that no changes were made yet the flow ran. And why is it doing this all of a sudden when it ran fine for over 2 years.

I've talked to IT and they suggested that it may be a sync issue but there is nothing definite.

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
David_MA 12,966 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

Like (1)

Report

Look at the actual modified date rather than what you are currently looking at in your screen shot (not sure what that is technically called). Most likely someone opened the item in edit mode and saved it without making any changes, which are not shown in what you're looking at, but will trigger the workflow.

I have not encountered the issue you describe, so not sure what other advice to offer.

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
Verified answer

trice602 15,402 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

Like (1)

Report

Hi,

You can also do this in combination with the trigger condition to help. Here you can add the action track changes

And this is going to pull back all the columns with a true/false value so you can get into the weeds on actual column updates. Then set minor changes to No.

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

⭐ If this was helpful, please like and mark as a verified answer to help others find this too!

Always glad to help! 💯💯💯💯💯

Tom

Follow me on LinkedIn - Thomas Rice, PMP | LinkedIn

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
Ann_DAS 115 on at

Like (1)

Report

Again, thanks for all the responses. To summarize the issue:

The flow is supposed to run when a list item is modified and it uses Get Changes. Conditions are set up to look for changes to specific columns etc. All of this is fine and has run with no issue. I am pretty sure the flow is not the problem as it has successfully run for over two years.

BUT

I have a list item that has not been edited (changed) in the last week yet, the flow ran yesterday. That is my question/concern. Why did this happen?

As David mentioned - Most likely someone opened the item in edit mode and saved it without making any changes, which are not shown in what you're looking at, but will trigger the workflow.

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
trice602 15,402 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

Like (0)

Report

Thanks for the replies here. I suspect this is what David mentioned also and most likely a one-off. let us know if this happens again. As you said, for a flow running for 2 + years, this could be a random glitch???

Both David and I have some good answers that may help others investigate general trigger issues; please mark one or more as verified answers. Much appreciated. Tom

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
trice602 15,402 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

Like (0)

Report

Hey there!

I am following up on this post power automate flow running on its own? in this category building flows from 01/30/2025. I know the post is a little older, but it is a common question here so wanted to take a moment and follow-up. I see there have been 6 replies and 1 likes and asking if your question has been answered. If so, please help the community out by completing one or more of the following actions! Thanks in advance!

Easy as 1-2-3 ‼️💯⭐😎🆒🙏

1) Mark a reply as a verified answer - this is essential, and it helps others with the same general question find this thread. ✅

2) You can also mark one of more replies as a verified answer. Please take a moment and give the author credit for volunteering their time. ✌️

3) Like one or more replies. Kudos always greatly appreciated! 👍

Pro tip: if you found your own solution or workaround, feel free to add a reply to your own post and mark it as the solution too! The goal is to get this thread marked with a verified answer by anyone that finds one or more replies helpful!

Again, thanks in advance for reading and responding, always glad to help! Tom 💯💯💯💯💯

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
trice602 15,402 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

Like (0)

Report

If I can help with anything else please let me know or tag me in a future post, I enjoy reading and answering questions. Always glad to help! Tom 💯💯💯💯💯

Was this reply helpful? Yes No