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Funky Variables on PAD

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Posted on by iniakanji

Hello guys, I'm having an issue with a basic flow to rename the first file in a folder(file list variable).

I've concluded that my PAD version might be buggy, since it represents all variables with "=variable" when clicked as opposed to "%variable" even though it returns an error for invalid character format when I use the default "=variable".

I tested my flow with both syntaxes and still haven't had any luck. Anyone experiencing the same issues?

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Power Automate Desktop

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eetuRobo 4,476 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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I've concluded that my PAD version might be buggy, since it represents all variables with "=variable" when clicked as opposed to "%variable" even though it returns an error for invalid character format when I use the default "=variable".

I don't think your PAD version is buggy. Its that you have chosen "Power fx enabled" flow instead of using regular non power fx flow.

If you are new to PAD I recommend not using Power Fx enabled -flows since most tutorials, documentation and discussions are referring to the regular flow syntax and not power fx syntax. So create a new flow without Power Fx enabled. They use different syntax.

Power Fx synax: =variable

Regular flow syntax: %variable%

To get the first file from a list variable:
Regular flow you would use %variable[0]% so if the variable is

Power Fx flow =First(variable)

or =Index(variable,1)

if you are still having trouble share screenshots of your flow and the error that you get

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trice602 16,002 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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Great reply! I was going to reply with the exact same response.

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iniakanji 7 on at

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I've clearly been away from Power Automate for some time. Thank you so much for this, it was greatly helpful.

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