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Create new Excel file with populated data

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Posted on by Community Power Pla... Microsoft Employee

Hello all,

I have created an automate that will populate an excel sheet after extracting data. But I would like to have a blank copy of this file as a template, and be able to move the data to a duplicated file that I can then upload to sharepoint.

Is there a way to do this and continue creating new blank documents instead of editing the same one over and over?

Thanks!

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Unknown geen idee 1,757 on at

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Dear S,

Sure, I am doing something similar where I have a template which I made a copy of in the flow itself and then populate that copy with data to produce a business document with specific data. Since I am not working on the template file itself, this remains unaffected.
Some tips in doing so:
When you create a new file in the flow and use this new file in the same flow ... build in some delay for the file to 'settle', otherwise your flow will not find it. 2-3 min should be fine.
If you are using a template this is easiest, because you will know already the table names and columns used in the file.
Suggest you create your whole flow first with all the steps ... and when ok, only then add the 'Create file' based on the template in front ... and then replace the file names (from the actions you made already) with the ID of the just created file.
Happy flowing,
Koen

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Community Power Pla... Microsoft Employee on at

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Thank you for the advice Koen!
I've added the step to copy the file and added a delay, but I am unsure how to replace the original file with the new file in all my steps as the file technically hasn't been created yet at the time of building the flow.
How were you able to fix this issue?

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Unknown geen idee 1,757 on at

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Dear S,
The screenshot below should give you the right hints.
Create a copy of the original file (Get Contents).
Create a new file from the output of 'Get Contents'
Fill the new file with data, replacing the 'File' with the ID of the newly created file (or in my example a variable)
Please ensure you build in some delay between the creation of the file and using it (3 minutes or so).
Happy flowing,
Koen

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Community Power Pla... Microsoft Employee on at

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Thank you again so much for all your help. However, I am still receiving error messages when trying to implement this. I've attached screenshots of my flow.
Let me know if you see what is causing the issues? Thanks again!

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Unknown geen idee 1,757 on at

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Dear S,
Your error indicates that the fields you want filled do not exists/cannot be found.
I am guessing this is because the 'File' label in your action requires a path ... not merely a filename. Change it to a path and see what happens.

Happy flowing,
Koen

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Community Power Pla... Microsoft Employee on at

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Thank you again Koen for all your help!

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