Unanswered

Using WIldCards in filenames

(0) Share

Report

Posted on by XtenMan

Brand new user here.
I am trying to create a simple task to copy files between folders based on wildcards in the name. So I am trying to copy any files that have the name 'white' in them with the following syntax:
*White.doc

But it does not seem to work. How do I use wildcards or what it the workaround to this?

Screenshot 2023-04-26 at 12.57.41 PM.png

Categories:

Power Automate Desktop

I have the same question (0)

All responses (4)

Answers (0)

Nived_Nambiar 18,136 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

Like (0)

Report
Copy link

Link copied!

Hi @XtenMan

First use get folders to figure the files which have word white in it and copy those files

here is demo flow

copy file action

Hope this helps
Mark it as solution if it resolves your query

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
XtenMan 2 on at

Like (0)

Report
Copy link

Link copied!

Thanks for your reply. So if I understand you correctly, every time I have to use a wildcard, I have to use the 'get files in folder' then loop through them and copy to another folder? SO simple wildcards as used in Windows search like:
*.xls
3755*.*
are not supported and require multiple steps to achieve?

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
jp_fc 35 on at

Like (0)

Report
Copy link

Link copied!

I believe this is a protection mechanism against situations such as a folder containing thousands of files, and you accidentally mis-use the wildcard and suddenly thousands of files are being opened at once and crashes your computer

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
Nived_Nambiar 18,136 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

Like (0)

Report
Copy link

Link copied!

Hi @XtenMan

Yes you have to use wildcard to filter the file name by name containing white , but if you want to have independent of extension i would suggest to try this filter option
*white*

Was this reply helpful? Yes No