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Empty Dates Breaking Flow

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Posted on by Eboname

I have created a manually triggered flow to simply load data from an excel table to a SharePoint list. There are several date columns in the data set, some of which need to be left blank. However every time I try to run the flow I get the error "The 'inputs.parameters' of workflow operation 'Create_item' of type 'OpenApiConnection' is not valid. Error details: Input parameter 'item/Review_x0020_Date' is required to be of type 'String/date'. The runtime value '" "' to be converted doesn't have the expected format 'String/date'.

What expression can I use to leave a field blank in the SharePoint list if the cell is blank in the excel table, but fill it in if a date is present? I have scoured the internet and cannot seem to find a solution that actually works for this simple problem. I have changed all my column types to Single Line of Text within SharePoint, and still no luck. I would prefer not to use a dummy date if I don't have to. I've attached a photo to show how simple my flow is (would replace the highlighted date columns with the expression instead).

thank you!

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Using flows

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Michael E. Gernaey 53,970 Super User 2026 Season 2 on at

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Hi @Eboname

Is it accurate that you are typing in ' ' (like with a space), ok maybe you aren't typing it, but it looks like there is a space in between highlighted right below
The runtime value '" "' to be converted doesn't have the expected format 'String/date'.

You should be able to either
1. Use Coalesce(valuetocheck, null)
2. Use Coalesce(valuetocheck, blank())
3. Use an equals(valuetocheck, ' '), null, valuetocheck)
4. Use an equals(valuetocheck, ' '), blank(), valuetocheck)

Since I am not fully sure what type of columns you are using or whats required. I would go with 1 or 2

Sorry lol wife is yelling for me to hurry, check my spelling.

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Michael Gernaey MCT | MCSE | MCP | Self-Contractor| Ex-Microsoft
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Eboname 11 on at

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I was able to figure out an expression that worked. This expression checks the date column cells in your excel table for blanks, and leaves them blank in SharePoint if so. If not, it fills it in with the date. I'm a little surprised I could not find this answer anywhere on the internet, but it works! (make sure your DateTime format is set to ISO 8601)

if(equals(item()?['DateColumn'],''),null,formatdatetime(item()?['DateColumn']))

(Insert your column name where it says 'DateColumn')