Power Automate adds unwanted XML data to Excel

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Posted on by Bubulover

Hi all !

I've an issue with a flow that is working, BUT the output file isn't convenient.

My flow is pretty simple:

When I receive a specific email (sender, subject,...),
I delete an existing file in a sharepoint,
I get email attachment - which is an Excel file,
Then I create a new file in the same sharepoint location.

It's a simple "Replace" flow, with deleting and creating.

My problem is that the created Excel file owns XML data (that I can identify using the Excel - File - Info - Inspect Document function).

These XML data makes the daily automated refreshes of a PowerBI report fail.

Since the Excel file opened directly from the email attachment doesn't have XML data, I suspect that they're added by the Power Automate flow.

Does someone have an idea about how can I prevent these XML data to be added?

Or perhaps to remove them at the end of my flow?

Thank you in advance for your help !

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Using flows

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lbendlin 8,474 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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What type of Excel file is this? (Power BI prefers .xlsx). Could you potentially post a before and after file demonstrating the issue?

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LT3 14 on at

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I'm having this exact same issue.

Files are in .xlsx format before and after the Power Automate process, but when I inspect after the Power Automate has occured they contain custom XML Data which is causing errors with Power BI service.

Was working fine previously.

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lbendlin 8,474 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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I know that PowerApps are injecting hidden (and unwanted) index columns but I didn't think Power Automate would do the same?

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Bubulover 32 on at

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Both files are in .xlsx

Do you know how can I post file?

If PowerAutomate mandatory adds XML data to .xlsx files added in a sharepoint, is there any trick that might prevent it?

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LT3 14 on at

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Can I ask if you have a custom name in the File Name part of the Create File action in Power Automate?

Mine works ok as long as I don't change this File Name field from 'Name' (attachments name) to any custom expression or text!?

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Bubulover 32 on at

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Yes I do change the file name at the Create File action.
I'll change the action to use the original file name, try again, and I'll let you know.

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Bubulover 32 on at

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I indeed changed the file name at the Create File action of Power Automate.

I've changed the flow that now keeps the original file name at this action.
But I'm still having the issue at the PowerBI refresh.

Any other idea ?

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LT3 14 on at

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Sorry, probably not much help, but I ended up changing my source file from .xlsx to .csv format and then the process worked as it should.

Not sure if that's an option for you.

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Bubulover 32 on at

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Hello,

The file is actually sent by an outside compagnie that isn't willing to change it.

My understanding is that to convert an .xlsx to .csv, Power Automate needs that the .xlsx owns a Table with a specific name, which the file doesn't have.

So, I follow the below video to manually add Table in this file, then I could use the 2nd video to convert the .xlsx to a .csv

And yes, you're right, .csv doesn't carry the XML data that PowerAutomate adds and for now my problem is solved!

Create Table in .xlsx with Power Automate:
Create Table in Excel WorkSheet - DamoBird365

Convert .xlsx to .csv:
Microsoft Power Automate: How to convert Excel (.xlsx) to .csv files - Full Tutorial - Bing video

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LT3 14 on at

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Just here to say thanks for linking those, just adding the script part to create a table within the worksheet worked for me. I had another issue with my flow because the csv files ended up being too large to email!

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