web
You’re offline. This is a read only version of the page.
close
Skip to main content

Announcements

News and Announcements icon
Community site session details

Community site session details

Session Id :
Power Platform Community / Forums / Power Automate / PDF file approval proc...
Power Automate
Answered

PDF file approval process finding the temp file, not the actual file.

(0) ShareShare
ReportReport
Posted on by 8

I am trying to create a workflow that goes as follows:

1) User fills out a Microsoft Form, and uploads a pdf file to SharePoint
2) Flow automatically starts, finds the file and sends it to approvers to get it approved.

 

The problem I am facing is when the PDF file is uploaded, the Form starts and finds the temporary file of the PDF, and not the actual PDF (I imagine the temp file is made while the pdf is being uploaded). Obviously this doesn't work, as a temp file the no longer exists gets send to approvers.

 

Is there any way to fix this?

Categories:
I have the same question (0)
  • abm abm Profile Picture
    32,985 Most Valuable Professional on at

    Hi @martin_lr 

     

    You cannot attach items in approve emails. Please see below post.

     

    https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Using-Flows/Is-is-possible-attach-a-file-in-a-approval-email/td-p/159291

     

    Thanks

     

     

  • martin_lr Profile Picture
    8 on at

    I am not trying to attach the file to the approval email.
    The PDF  file is uploaded to Sharepoint.

    All I want the approval email to do is hyperlink to the pdf file on sharepoint.
    Right now it hyperlinks to the temp file

  • abm abm Profile Picture
    32,985 Most Valuable Professional on at

    Hi @martin_lr 

     

    Thanks for your quick reply. This could be timing and refresh metadata behind the scene. Could try to add a delay after uploading the document? If not another option is create a new flow when a file is uploaded?

     

    Thanks

  • martin_lr Profile Picture
    8 on at

    I've tried using "when file is created" and "when new form response is submitted" and they both do the same behaviour.

    Is there a way to add a timer/delay?

  • abm abm Profile Picture
    32,985 Most Valuable Professional on at

    Hi @martin_lr 

     

    Try this

     

    image.png

  • martin_lr Profile Picture
    8 on at

    Ive tried using delays

    What the process is now:

     

    1) trigger the flow to start when a new form is submitted

    2) wait 30 seconds
    3) find the most recent file uploaded to sharepoint and send that (link) to the approvers

     

    However this is not a great solution as if multiple files were uploaded at the same time, the wrong file could be sent out.

     

    is there a better way of linking the uploaded file with the delay?

  • v-litu-msft Profile Picture
    Microsoft Employee on at

    Hi @martin_lr,

     

    After the delay action, you could use the Get item action to get the last version of the file just uploaded, instead of getting the most recent file uploaded.

     

    Best Regards,
    Community Support Team _ Lin Tu
    If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

  • Verified answer
    abm abm Profile Picture
    32,985 Most Valuable Professional on at

    Hi @martin_lr 

     

    After the delay action filter the file using Get Items filtered by filename. Here I have hardcoded mnu.jpg which is my filename. Replace the filename accordingly.

     

    See below.

     

    image.png

  • v-litu-msft Profile Picture
    Microsoft Employee on at

    Hi @martin_lr,

     

    Has your problem been solved?
    If your problem has been solved, You could go ahead and mark the post as solved by clicking “Accept as Solution” so that this thread will be marked for other users to easily identify!

    Best Regards,
    Community Support Team _ Lin Tu

Under review

Thank you for your reply! To ensure a great experience for everyone, your content is awaiting approval by our Community Managers. Please check back later.

Helpful resources

Quick Links

Introducing the 2026 Season 1 community Super Users

Congratulations to our 2026 Super Users!

Kudos to our 2025 Community Spotlight Honorees

Congratulations to our 2025 community superstars!

Leaderboard > Power Automate

#1
David_MA Profile Picture

David_MA 251 Super User 2026 Season 1

#2
Haque Profile Picture

Haque 239

#3
Expiscornovus Profile Picture

Expiscornovus 220 Most Valuable Professional

Last 30 days Overall leaderboard