how to prevent MS forms upload file name changed

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Posted on by Community Power Pla... Microsoft Employee

Hi Expert,

when I upload file via MS forms, I can see submitter name is automatically added to end of file name, but I also can see that file name is truncated to make it shorter.

I can remove submitter name via expression but I have no idea how to keep original file name. because in response detail from ms forms, file name is already changed. so no idea to get original file name from uploaded file. we have important information in file name so it needs to be kept.

maybe, I can add to input file name in ms forms, but I have no idea when multiple file are being uploaded.

Thanks in advances.

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Ellis Karim 11,931 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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Hi @Anonymous ,

The responder's AD account display name seems to get appended to the filename and then saved to the form owner's OneDrive:

I'm not aware of a way to find or preserve the original file name other than removing the responders name from the filename using an expression. One example of such an expression could be:

concat(slice(variables('varFileName'),0,lastIndexOf(variables('varFileName'),'_')),'.',Last(split(variables('varFileName'),'.')))

For suggestions on how you may want to manage multiple file uploads, see:

How to Send Microsoft Forms File Uploads to an Approval Workflow Using Power Automate

How to Send Microsoft Forms File Uploads from Multiple Questions to an Approval Workflow Using Power Automate

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Community Power Pla... Microsoft Employee on at

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Hi ekarim2020, thanks for reply.

I don't have issue with removing name of responders. problem is not only adding responder name file, ms form make file name short. i guess if more than 40 character, it makes less 40 character, that's problem.

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RobElliott 10,416 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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The submitter's name is added and, if necessary, the filename shortened as part of the submission process. There's no way to change that behaviour as @ekarim2020 said.

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Uladzislau Mironau 4 on at

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Hi

I faced the same issue and found a solution to the problem.

First what you need is a step - 'Get User Profile', with input of form submitters email.

I prefer to use function 'Replace' for this purposes

DISCLAIMER: MS Forms have a hidden rule if submitter Name+Surname length exceed 20 symbols it is cut to be 20 symbols.
Example: Your submitter name and surname is Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (Jason Statham spoose) whose name length is 25 symbols, if she attach something in the form the file with be not "*original filename*_Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.ext", no it will be "*original filename*_Rosie Huntington-Whi.ext"

So for 'replace' to know what should be erased lets configure compose that will form added user name and surname:

The code is as follows:

if(

greaterOrEquals(

length(

concat('_',outputs('Get_user_profile_(V2)')?['body/givenName'],' ',outputs('Get_user_profile_(V2)')?['body/surname'])

)

,int(22)),

substring(

concat('_',outputs('Get_user_profile_(V2)')?['body/givenName'],' ',outputs('Get_user_profile_(V2)')?['body/surname'])

,0,21),

concat('_',outputs('Get_user_profile_(V2)')?['body/givenName'],' ',outputs('Get_user_profile_(V2)')?['body/surname']))

this compose formula will generate dynamic content that you can then replace in any forthcoming actions in format:

"_NAME SURNAME" even the cut version of it.

in next steps upon adding attachments to SP lists, creating files on SP folder or any other action in file name you enter the following formula:

replace(item()?['name'],*compose name from prev step*,'')

This should remove Submitters Name and Surname in 100% of cases without changing your filename in any case.

let me know if you found this helpful.

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