Skip to main content

Notifications

Community site session details

Community site session details

Session Id : 9KGQC0cylOeeaNawNO6xwT
Power Automate - Using Connectors
Unanswered

Resource attempting to access is locked

Like (1) ShareShare
ReportReport
Posted on 1 Apr 2020 23:13:28 by Microsoft Employee

I have seen numerous posts on this, but I don't think this has ever been solved.

 

For me I have two flows.

1.  This one take over an hour to run.  I am using Excel Online Business as the files I am accessing are on a One Drive for Business Service account.  The List Rows is at the very beginning.  At the end I have a piece that moves the file to another folder.

Flow 1.JPG

 

This one I have no issues with, it runs fine each time.

 

The second flow I have the List rows is more towards the end, and this one only takes like 20 seconds.

I USED to have a part at the very end where it would look for files, find the file we were pulling table data from, and move it to another folder.  Each time, we would fail on this step with the following:

flow 2.JPGFlow 3.JPG

 

As you can see, I even tried a Delay of 2 minutes.  I would still get the locked error.

The file was NOT open, and I could open it, move it, and delete it, once the flow was over (manually in File Explorer).

I am using the Excel Online Business Connector for all my flows.

I figured since the other works all the time, maybe Flow is holding onto the connection in the background or something.

So I created a seperate flow that would come in and move the file.  I ran this after the main flow ran.

I STILL got the resource locked.

 

Has anyone figured anything out on the resource locked with Excel connector being used?

 

  • timothy_bohte Profile Picture
    44 on 30 Sep 2022 at 12:34:22
    Re: Resource attempting to access is locked

    Hi @lardo5150 

    I had the same issue and found your message here.

    Thanks for sharing your issue with the community.

    Although it has been more than a year since you posted this, I would like to share my investigation and solution with you.

    I read about the 7+ minutes lock and wanted to find out what the actual locking time was in my situation. Spoiler alert, it was much less, only about 4.5 minutes. I don't want my users to wait any second longer than really needed so I came with the following solution.

    Create a status variable in the top of your flow. Add a Do until action below the step that causes the lock issue. Add as condition: status variable equals Ready.

    Move the delay action in that action and set it to 10 seconds. Add your Move... action below in the same action and add another action to set the status variable to Ready.

    The rest of your flow should be outside of Do until action.

    Now your flow will try to do your Move... action every 10 seconds until it succeeds and continue with the rest of the flow.

    Sorry that I don't have screen shots for you as examples, but I'll blog about it later with pictures. Please check in on my blog on Linkedin in a while: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/timothy-s-newsletter-6884550608553033728/

     

  • omkanade5 Profile Picture
    4 on 22 Oct 2021 at 20:55:18
    Re: Resource attempting to access is locked

    If the problem exists even after including delay of 7+ mins.

    Try removing the delay and simply run the workflow after 7mins.

    This should work.

  • omkanade5 Profile Picture
    4 on 22 Oct 2021 at 20:45:41
    Re: Resource attempting to access is locked

    I faced the same issue.

    The Excel business connector locks the excel for 6mins for update or delete of file.

    So set a delay of 7+ mins and try.

    This solved my problem.

    Thanks.

  • Community Power Platform Member Profile Picture
    on 26 Feb 2021 at 08:24:03
    Re: Resource attempting to access is locked

    I had the same issue, and checked that the document was in a secure or protected mode. By just disabling that the issue has been solved.

  • yashag2255 Profile Picture
    24,442 Super User 2024 Season 1 on 03 Apr 2020 at 06:58:09
    Re: Resource attempting to access is locked

    Hi @lardo5150 

     

    As per the documentation, the file could be locked for upto 6 minutes. You might want to add a slightly more delay of about 7 minutes and try again. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/connectors/excelonlinebusiness/

     

    Hope this Helps!

     

    If this reply has answered your question or solved your issue, please mark this question as answered. Answered questions helps users in the future who may have the same issue or question quickly find a resolution via search. If you liked my response, please consider giving it a thumbs up. THANKS!

Under review

Thank you for your reply! To ensure a great experience for everyone, your content is awaiting approval by our Community Managers. Please check back later.

Helpful resources

Quick Links

Understanding Microsoft Agents - Introductory Session

Confused about how agents work across the Microsoft ecosystem? Register today!

Warren Belz – Community Spotlight

We are honored to recognize Warren Belz as our May 2025 Community…

Congratulations to the April Top 10 Community Stars!

Thanks for all your good work in the Community!

Leaderboard > Power Automate - Using Connectors

#1
Michael E. Gernaey Profile Picture

Michael E. Gernaey 8 Super User 2025 Season 1

#2
lbendlin Profile Picture

lbendlin 7 Super User 2025 Season 1

#3
KT-07051015-0 Profile Picture

KT-07051015-0 4

Overall leaderboard

Featured topics