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Clear array variable in a flow

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Posted on 13 Jan 2018 15:21:26 by Kamil

I have a working flow with for each loop. In loop i'm using array variable to build a list of item to send it in e-mail. In next loop i need to use the same variable, but I want to start adding to empty array. How to set array variable to be "blank new" for next iteration of loop?

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SureshPaul 4 on 01 Mar 2024 at 13:07:33

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Re: Clear array variable in a flow

Please use clear list as in the below screen shot

clear list.png
SureshPaul 4 on 01 Mar 2024 at 13:03:48

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Re: Clear array variable in a flow

You should use the "clear list" if it is a list variable (array)
JohnNovember 11 on 31 Mar 2023 at 20:33:00

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Re: Clear array variable in a flow

@Kamil Please consider marking this as the answer. At the end of the loop (before it resets), use "Set Variable" with "[]" as the value. Less steps and variables required.
KashifZH 35 on 30 Jun 2022 at 04:22:57

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Re: Clear array variable in a flow

You don't know how much that answer helped me! Thanks so much. This is such a common scenario as you'd want to reuse an array.
cbboatwr 16 on 06 Dec 2020 at 22:34:38

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Re: Clear array variable in a flow

I'm not sure if the solution provided answer the user's question ... perhaps it did. But that shows how to reset an array after a loop as completed, as opposed to resetting for each iteration of the loop ... a scenario I think probably more common. Like if you were looping thru a list of managers and e-mailing that manager an array processed within the loop ... you'd want that array reset each time so one manager didn't get a cumulative listing of all preceding manager's info.

In this case, you still use the "Set variable" and set the variable's value to "[]" (empty array) WITHIN the lop ... however, you also have to set the loop's Concurrency Control. You need to turn it on and set the degree of parallelism to 1 ... this ensures the array is access by multiple parallel operations of the loop. You get to the settings by click the "..." and selecting "Settings" on the "Apply to each" control
VivekVerma 10 on 13 Apr 2020 at 16:10:13

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Re: Clear array variable in a flow

Hi

You can just set variable to "[ ]" this will empty you

Thanks and Regards
Vivek Verma
Community Power Pla... on 05 Oct 2019 at 08:21:21

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Re: Clear array variable in a flow

I have used the approach of setting the variable equal to null, however it stopped working about a week ago. Has the syntax of the "null" function changed?
Community Power Pla... on 13 Feb 2019 at 00:59:27

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Re: Clear array variable in a flow

You can also do a Set Variable with a value of null.
Kamil 22 on 31 Jan 2018 at 15:25:06

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Re: Clear array variable in a flow

Thanks for help.
Verified answer

v-xida-msft on 16 Jan 2018 at 02:46:49

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Re: Clear array variable in a flow

Hi @Kamil,

Could you please share a screenshot of your flow's configuration?

Do you want to set the array variable to empty for next iteration of loop?

I think a empty array variable could achieve your needs, I have made a test on my side and please take a try with the following workaround:

Add a proper trigger, here I use Flow Button trigger.

Add a Variables-> "Initialize variable" action, Name set to GlobeArray, Typre set to Array and Value set to empty.

Add a "Get items" action, specify Site Address and List Name.

Add a "Apply to each" aciton, input parameter set to output of the "Get items" action. Within "Apply to each", add a "Append to array variable" action, Name choose GlobeArray, Value set to Due Time dynamic content of the "Get items" action.

Under "Apply to each" action, add a "Compose" action, Inputs set to GlobeArray variable.

Add a Variables-> "Initialize variable 2" action, Name set to EmptyArray, Type set to Array and Value set to empty.

Add a "Set variable" action, Name choose GlobeArray variable, Value set to EmptyArray variable.

Image reference:

The flow works successfully as below:

The value of GlobeArray variable after first iteration of loop as below:

The value of GlobeArray variable after clearing array as below:

Best regards,

Kris