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Can't use Replace function nested in Substring of to remove spaces

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Posted on by daniel27ad_work

Hi,

In a step of this flow, I need to search a Sharepoint Library for a file whose name contains (except for the spaces) the text in the 'Title' column of an Item of a Sharepoint list (available as dynamic content from previous step "Get an Item").

To check whether the text is contained, I'm using "substringof". I did some dummy testing with it to check that the function works ok for what I need, and everything was perfect. The problem comes when I try to solve the spaces issue. I'm trying to nest a replace function inside it, and I'm getting an error. See error "is not valid" below:

I'm able to use "replace" successfully with the same exact content if I use it outside of the "substringof". So the syntaxis of the replace function wouldn't seem to be the issue either.

If anyone knows whether I'm doing something wrong or if it's just that using a replace inside a substringof known to not work, I apreciate that you let me know.

Thanks!

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Building flows

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creativeopinion

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I'm assuming you are using the Get files (properties only) action.Fun fact. The Get Files (properties only) returns folders as well. You need to use a Filter Query to return Files only. Refer to this YT Short.

Your Filter Query is invalid. Your replace() function should be an expression.

It looks like you have a couple of nested Apply to Each actions. I can't quite tell what's going on... however you might also find this YT Tutorial helpful: 3 Mistakes YOU 🫵 are Making with the Apply to Each Action in your Microsoft Power Automate Flow

In this video tutorial I’ll go over how to avoid these common mistakes when using the Apply to Each action in a Power Automate flow:

1️⃣ Looping through a Single Item

2️⃣ Creating Unnecessary Nested Loops

3️⃣ Looping through an Unfiltered Array

At the end of the video I share a few helpful insights when it comes to using the Apply to Each action in your flow.

I'll also cover:

✅ How to avoid the Apply to Each action with a single item array

✅ How to use the item() function to access dynamic content in an array

✅ How to prevent unnecessary nested Apply to Each action loops

✅ How to use the Select action

✅ How to convert an array to a string with the Select action

✅How to use the Filter Query field

✅ How to count the number of items in an array

✅ How to use a condition control

✅ How to use the concurrency control

✅ How to set a top count

✅ How to use Compose actions for troubleshooting

-----

For more flow troubleshooting tips—check out this YT Tutorial: 5 Power Automate Troubleshooting FAQs and Helpful Tips for Creating Better Flows

In this tutorial I cover:

✅ How to troubleshoot a false Condition action result

✅ How to get dynamic content when it isn’t selectable from the list of dynamic content

✅ How to troubleshoot an Apply to Each action that isn’t looping through

✅ How to troubleshoot a skipped Apply to Each action

✅ How to troubleshoot a Filter Query

✅ How to use a SharePoint yes/no column in a Filter Query

✅ How to use Compose actions to troubleshoot a Power Automate flow

✅ How to troubleshoot multiple emails being sent

✅ How to troubleshoot multiple Teams messages being sent

Hope this helps!

If I helped you solve your problem—please mark my post as a solution ✅.
Consider giving me a 👍 if you liked my response! If you're feeling generous— ☕️ Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/acreativeopinion

👉 Watch my tutorials on YouTube
👉 Tips and Tricks on TikTok

@daniel27ad_work

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daniel27ad_work 19 on at

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Thank you! This looks amazingly helpful. I'm relatively new on this world. From the moment I posted and before you replied I got to understand why "for each" is added automatically when I add certain types of actions: there's chance that there may be multiple files/rows meeting the criteria.

I've tried adding the replace function in the way you showed, however, I get this message:

I'll run through your videos. Thanks!

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creativeopinion

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@daniel27ad_work The replace() function takes 3 parameters which are outlined in the tooltip when you insert the function.

replace([string of text], [old text],[newtext])

It looks like you are trying to use the Title from a SP list to see if it's located in your Get files (properties only) action—it's unclear because I can only see a portion of your flow. If that is the case, you need a Filter Array action as the Get Items action will always return an array of items. If you are trying to cross-reference items from a SharePoint list with files from a document library, you will need to use a Filter Array action to do so.

To learn more about how to use the Filter Array action, please refer to this YT Tutorial: Are you using the Microsoft Power Automate Filter Array Action wrong?

In this video tutorial I’ll show you 3 practical ways to use the Filter Array action and how to use it properly.

1️⃣ Cross-Referencing Data

2️⃣ Filtering by Key

3️⃣ Substring Matching

Did you know that the Condition action has a limit of 10 conditions? Although it might look like the Filter Array action can only accept one condition—this is not true. By using the advanced mode you can enter multiple conditions into a Filter Array action with an expression.

IN THIS VIDEO:

✅ 3 Ways to Use the Filter Array Action

✅ How to use the Scope Action to Group Actions

✅ How to Check the Number of Items returned from a Filter Array Action

✅ How to Cross-Reference Data in Excel with a SharePoint List

✅ How the Filter Array Action Works

✅ How to Access the Dynamic Content from a Filter Array Action

✅ How to Filter Items by a Key

✅ How to Filter Items by Matching a Substring

✅ How to Use Multiple Conditions in a Filter Array Action

Hope this helps!

If I helped you solve your problem—please mark my post as a solution ✅.
Consider giving me a 👍 if you liked my response! If you're feeling generous— ☕️ Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/acreativeopinion

👉 Watch my tutorials on YouTube
👉 Tips and Tricks on TikTok