Answered

How to check the version of the same filenames

(0) Share

Report

Posted on by Community Power Pla... Microsoft Employee

Hi,

I have two files with the same file name but different version. I need to check the latest version and copy them to the folder.

Any ideas on how to implement ?

File names : 10mL ABC 19875-05.pdf

10mL ABC 19875-06.pdf

Currently, I am getting the files in a folder which has 10mL ABC 19875*.pdf, so I am getting all the files which matches. I need to copy the file which has 06.pdf. Please help.

Categories:

Power Automate Desktop

I have the same question (0)

All responses (6)

Answers (2)

Sort by

Community Power Pla... Microsoft Employee on at

Like
a
(0)

Report
Copy link

Link copied!

Hello @Anonymous

We have "Sort by" dropdown menu in Advanced options in action "Get files in folder". You should make it sort by "Name" and let it "Descending" order in this scenario.

Using configuration above, the latest version of your files will always be at the beginning of the %Files% list.

Then you can copy the latest version of file referring by %Files[0]%.

Thank you.

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
Community Power Pla... Microsoft Employee on at

Like
a
(0)

Report
Copy link

Link copied!

Thank you @Anonymous
It is so helpful! one more thing, for suppose I have many files having same file names and different version and I have to keep the latest, rest of the files have to be deleted because I am working on the same folder so instead of copying, I prefer to delete the unwanted files.

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
Verified answer

MichaelAnnis 5,727 Moderator on at

Like
a
(0)

Report
Copy link

Link copied!
Assuming all files are formatted the same way, ex. ##ml XXX #####-##.pdf, then you could do the following:

After you have sorted as previously indicated by @Anonymous,
For Each %CurrentItem% in %Files% 'CurrentItem in this case would be each row ex. %Files[0]%
Get Subtext of %CurrentItem.Name%, Start of Text, character position = 0, Length is Number of Characters = 15; set the subtext to %NewSubText%
If %CurrentItem% = %Files[0]%
Set variable %LastSubText% to %NewSubText% 'on the next loop, we will match these up
Next 'this will ignore the first file and move to the next file
EndIF
If %NewSubText% = %LastSubText%
Delete %CurrentItem%
EndIF
End 'For Each

This will loop through each filename ignoring the first time the 15-character string pops up. Each line will look for a match from the previous 15 characters, and if they are a match, it will delete the file, if not, it will move on.

Best of Luck!

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
Verified answer

Community Power Pla... Microsoft Employee on at

Like
a
(0)

Report
Copy link

Link copied!

Hello @Anonymous

Just remove the item %Files[0]% from the list.

After that, you have the list of files except the latest one. That's the list of files you want to delete.

Now you can delete files except the latest one using variable %Files%. It's so simple, but it works well as you imagined. 🙂

Thank you.

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
Community Power Pla... Microsoft Employee on at

Like
a
(0)

Report
Copy link

Link copied!

Thanks @MichaelAnnis

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
Community Power Pla... Microsoft Employee on at

Like
a
(0)

Report
Copy link

Link copied!

Thanks @Anonymous

Was this reply helpful? Yes No