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Error Message - Set Variable

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Posted on by JD-03091828-0

Hi everyone -

I am attempting to use Power Automate to auto-format a job description. Basically a user will cut/paste the text of a job description into MS Forms and the finished product will be a formatted MS Word document (I have the premium connector). As part of flow, I check the text of the job description for the presence of etc., i.e., and e.g. and replace them with etc, ie, and eg, respectively. This seems to be working. The problem comes when I attempt to set the updated VarJD variable - I get the following error:

Unable to process template language expressions in action 'Set_variable_2' inputs at line '0' and column '0': 'The template language expression 'outputs('Compose_-_Replace_i.e._JD')?['_JD_outputs']?['$']' cannot be evaluated because property '_JD_outputs' cannot be selected. Property selection is not supported on values of type 'String'. Please see https://aka.ms/logicexpressions for usage details.'.

Here is a view of that portion of the flow as well as the raw output before the flow fails:

Raw Output of Compose – Replace i.e. JD step:
"Operate machinery / equipment to ensure that seed production processes occur safely, effectively, and with quality in alignment with general procedures of the site. Interact with receiving and shipping trucks; instruct truck drivers for movement through the drive shed and plant. Lead safety programs. Using a forklift, stack bins of seed, move pallets on and off racking, using a forklift rotator where required, moving wide loads and tall loads safely. Regularly perform Forklift inspections. Control plant operations by setting up equipment from control room computer in addition to local controllers aside. Clean down equipment following appropriate safety and compliance standards. Work in a production line and wear PPE necessary for the handling of treated seed and the cleaning of equipment contaminated by treatment. Collect and process QA samples. Demonstrate knowledge of and adherence to Bayer’s Health, Safety, Environment (HSE) and Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) standards (eg general shop floor/machine safety and operating procedures). Comply with internal procedures and support compliance with legal requirements applicable to area activities. Draw officially recognized samples (Seeds Act) and process them, or do so under supervision of an Approved Operator. Operate equipment in production sites and leverage real time data to maximize existing procedures Perform preventive maintenance and inspections; troubleshoot problems associated with equipment, processes, and systems. Support local team in all functions of seed production including processing, packaging, pollinations, and field notes. Support areas across sites in driving the adoption of continuous improvement practices and programs (5S, Lean, Six Sigma) conducive to an organized and clean work environment. Mentor new employees, perform basic maintenance of equipment, and handle basic activities in Bayer systems. Provide coaching and training to seasonal workforce, area trainees and peers supporting achievement and personal development. Adhere to LOTO when service is needed for maintenance. Utilize Focused Improvement (eg, 5WHYs) techniques to initiate process and standard work improvements. Ensure upstream activities are handled within company standards and business requirements. Cultivate partnership with key business partners to plant / field operations. Document work permits for contractors. Use SAP to support administrative procedures, documenting key readings, maintenance orders, production information. Maintain key process documentation (operating, start up and shut down procedures; standard work; process flow and instrumentation diagrams; etc). Participate in and lead meetings as needed; articulating shift objectives and allocating resources accordingly across all active production areas. Support and maintain metrics and relevant information on current Visual Management boards to drive teamwork and facilitate shift change over. Communicate effectively and professionally with Seed Partners and Tollers."

Any ideas as to why the flow is failing and what I can do to fix it? I am at a loss - I have another flow built exactly the same way that is working just fine.

Thank you!

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Building flows

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creativeopinion 10,508 Moderator on at

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@JD-03091828-0 It's hard to offer any recommendations without seeing the full logic behind your flow. In edit mode, click on each action to expand it. Upload a screenshot of your full flow.

In the meantime, you might be interested in these MS Form/Power Automate tutorials:

How To Create a Planner Task from a Microsoft Form Submission

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First, I’ll show you how to create a task using the Microsoft Form submission data. Then, I’ll show you how to place a task in a specific bucket based on a selection made in the form as well as how to assign tasks to specific users. At the end of the video I’ll show you how to handle Microsoft Form uploads and how you can attach those to your Planner Tasks.

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✓ How to add a task description to a Planner task
✓ How to use the List Buckets action in Power Automate
✓ How to use the Filter Array action to match form responses
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✓ How to use the Condition action to handle bucket creation
✓ How to create a new bucket in Microsoft Planner automatically
✓ How to use variables to set the Bucket ID dynamically
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✓ How to add multiple users to a task using SharePoint or Excel data
✓ How to group actions using the Scope action in Power Automate
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✓ How to parse JSON output for file uploads in Power Automate
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---

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✓ How to use a Scope action to Organize and Group Your Flow Actions
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✓ How to Collect All Files from Multiple File Upload Questions
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✓ How to Attach an MS Form Single File Upload to a SharePoint List Item
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Hope this helps!

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ammadkhan 10 on at

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you have initialize a "varJD" as string.

There you have added the data from your your ms forms.

Now you are trying to replace e.g / etc., from that string.

For this you are adding condition and doing this in three different steps.

My suggestion is:

Try in your first compose without conditions

Replace(msformsdataasString, 'e.g.', 'eg')

Then check the string if it has worked.

If yes, the add in just one compose all your replace inside one another.

Like replace(replace(outputs('ComposeActionName'), 'etc.,', 'etc'), 'e.g.,', 'eg')

See the if your compose is giving you clean string with replaced values.

I am not sure if you have to then initialize the variable at all.

Try using the compose output directly to create word document.

Am wondering why you have to replace etc., or e.g.,? Is it not able to create word document?

--- hope this help you.

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rzaneti 4,491 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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Hi @JD-03091828-0,

Based on your error message, you are assigning the value of outputs('Compose_-_Replace_i.e._JD')?['_JD_outputs']?['$'] to a string variable. Based on the shared raw outputs, the value of outputs('Compose_-_Replace_i.e._JD') is a string. I would recommend you to remove the dynamic content assigned to Set variable 2 and manually enter outputs('Compose_-_Replace_i.e._JD') as expression, just to ensure that you are capturing only the outputs from the Compose - Replace i.e. JD, and nothing else.

Let me know if it works for you or if you need any additional help!

If this is the answer to your question, please mark the post as Accepted Answer.
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JD-03091828-0 75 on at

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@rzaneti - that worked beautifully - thank you!

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