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Document Approval Flows - Link to Document fails in Outlook Desktop

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Hello!

We are creating our first document approval Flow and have run into a problem we can't figure out. We instantiate the flow and an email gets sent. The email has a link to the document in question with approve or reject options. In Outlook on a PC the link to the document is not clickable. It is clickable on Outlook on the web, Outlook on a phone and in the Flow app on a phone. If we click forward or on the link marked “Show original message” the link is clickable.

So very odd.

Anyone seen this? Any ideas? Help?

Thanks.

 

~k

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  • SysAdmin2 Profile Picture
    SysAdmin2 3 on at
    Re: Document Approval Flows - Link to Document fails in Outlook Desktop

    Still Broken.  Outlook Version 1808 (Build 10357.20081)

  • Techyswaglord Profile Picture
    Techyswaglord 25 on at
    Re: Document Approval Flows - Link to Document fails in Outlook Desktop

    Yes broken for me aswell

  • Techyswaglord Profile Picture
    Techyswaglord 25 on at
    Re: Document Approval Flows - Link to Document fails in Outlook Desktop

    Hi, I've been using the possibly new inbuilt SharePoint approval system. I've found it a lot more user-friendly than my created flows and folders for set up for approval.

     

    Select an item within your SharePoint. Sometimes you need to click the three little dots. Other times flow will be visible. Flow > request sign off. It will then open on a sidebar. Click create flow (Don't worry this doesn't make you create a flow). Then a second side window will open. Enter the email of who needs to approve. Click send. After testing this it seems a lot smoother and is visually better than my made flows and the email requests it sends (its also a lot quicker I found).

     

    You can also view the "sign off status" column that will change depending on the outcome of the document. (You have to manually add this to your SharePoint view) I've found this a lot better as well as I don't have to copy files into other folders all the work stays within the relevant folders. 

     

     

    flow1.JPG

    flow2.JPGflow3.JPGflow4.JPG

  • MSTill Profile Picture
    MSTill 26 on at
    Re: Document Approval Flows - Link to Document fails in Outlook Desktop

    Hi there,

    it seems that it is broken again in 1906 (Build 11727.20230).

    I find this annoying.

  • Abhay Profile Picture
    Abhay on at
    Re: Document Approval Flows - Link to Document fails in Outlook Desktop

    This is fixed in Outlook version 1903. I have tested it 

  • Re: Document Approval Flows - Link to Document fails in Outlook Desktop

    I also had this problem (link doesn't work in Outlook).  I just received Outlook v 1812 and it works.  In Outlook v 1811 the workaround is to click on the "Show original message" at the bottom: then link shown there works.

  • Re: Document Approval Flows - Link to Document fails in Outlook Desktop

    Thank you BlueCar @BlueCar.  I am now running Outlook v 1812 and the problem is resolved.  I generated a new approval email and it works fine.  I also opened an approval created yesterday, which failed, but it now also works.  I'll send an email to all approvers throughout the organization and provide the workaround, and tell them that the problem will be corrected in the next Outlook update.  Is there a way I can get this pushed out company wide? 

     

    Thanks again for your quick help.

     

    MikeH

  • BlueCar Profile Picture
    BlueCar 52 on at
    Re: Document Approval Flows - Link to Document fails in Outlook Desktop

    Hi @Anonymous,

    The issue is within Outlook, but only if you're Office 365 is on the monthly (targeted) update channel. If you read the messages in this forum thread, you will see, that a fix has come to the Office 365 Insider version 1812.

    Your options are now:

    • Use Outlook Online.
    • Click the "Show Origional Message" link in the buttom of the Approval e-mail and use the link there.
    • Downgrade your Office installation to an older build.
    • Wait until the fix gets pushed out to you.
  • Re: Document Approval Flows - Link to Document fails in Outlook Desktop

    @Anonymous. When we want to be sure that the field Comments is filled with value, do not add item from "Quick edit", but use "+ New". When we use "Quick edit", after filing some columns, the flow will immediately run before we "exit quick edit", so the flow will not bring the Comments value that we have filled in.

     

    Regards,

    Deddy.

  • Re: Document Approval Flows - Link to Document fails in Outlook Desktop

    Mine have also failed.  The Outlook link is not clickable.  Approvers can click the Approve & Reject boxes, but the Comments box sometimes also fails.  We really need a solution asap.  We have found that if the email is forwarded to another mailbox, even the same one it came from, the links work.  We've spent quite a bit of time debugging Outlook, antivirus, etc. but now it appears this is a Flow Approval issue.  Has anyone found a solution?  Thanks.  Mike

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