Can't solve invalid expression - Condition

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Posted on by Graeme_NZ

I have a SharePoint library (document set using content types) with start and end dates (in date format), plus a calculated column which is 60 days before the end date (also in date format). I have a status column (Choice) which I want to change to Good, Expiring, or Expired depending on today's date. Here is a snip of my columns from the SharePoint library:

I have created a flow in the past which I'm trying to recreate with this new list. I will run this flow in the small hours each day. I have an invalid expression error on my Conditions.

Flow structure:

Error and Condition parameters:

A possible hiccup could be that not all End Dates are populated, but in that case I would expect the flow to work but return errors.

I'm not sure how to structure a filter before the first condition.

Can anyone help me resolve the issue(s)?

Categories:

Building flows

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Michael E. Gernaey 53,392 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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hi

The issue is in the left you TYPED in item()?['TPM Alert']

You needed to add the Expression item() NOT type it

Go back clear it.

CLick inside

Popup window appears go to the Expression Tab

type item()?['TPM Alert']

click ok

youll see the pink box like your UTC box

You'll be right as rain

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Graeme_NZ 18 on at

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Thanks for your reply, but I still get the same error. I added this like you said, and no change....

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Michael E. Gernaey 53,392 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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Hi

I cannot see any picture if you pasted one in. It looks like you probably did but I cannot see it for some reason. Can you try again, or attach it also

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Michael E. Gernaey 53,392 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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Ok I can see it

Here is your problem

You do a Get Files (properties only) but then you immediately create your condition and try to use item()

Well item() isn't in Scope, because you didn't LOOP through the data from Get Files, you can only use item in Loops or in Filter actions etc

So any time you do something that returns a bunch of records (or might) it looks like this

check out the words

outputs('Get_files_(properties_only)')?['body/value']

So you have 2 options

1. Create an Apply to Each (aka For each) and have it loop through the Array of values form the Dynamic value property from your Get Files, thats exactly where i got my photo from, my Get Files and a loop

2. OR you can do this (IF you know there is only 1 row)

in your condition left

outputs('Get_files_(properties_only)')?['body/value']?[0]?['TPM Alert']

// now my path just above me, requires you to know the exact path to the TPM Alert property so it could be like

outputs('Get_files_(properties_only)')?['body/value']?[0]?['SomeOtherTHing']?['TPM Alert']

But thats your issue

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Graeme_NZ 18 on at

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Hi FLMike

You mean like this? I had tried this earlier and got stuck on something else...

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Michael E. Gernaey 53,392 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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Hi

I want to make sure you understand, not just change it and I have no idea why you are using Get Files. You don't mention anything about needing to read files, to make a chance to the row. So you are not explaining everything and its wasting time.

You only have 2 choices, of how to access the data you want.

You did the Get Files, it returns an Array, you either have to loop it, or use the straight syntax, assuming it only returns 1 File.

So it doesn't matter what happened, before you have to do it one of the 2 ways I suggested.

So the question is, is there 1 or more files you expect to do something with?

I explained how to solve what your question is, anything beyond that is a totally different question/issue.

I can't do anymore than I did, so mark it as the answer, don't but I answered you the fact you don't have or understand fully I can't really explain it any more than I have.

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Graeme_NZ 18 on at

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Hi FLMike

I'm new and trying hard.

You say: "You don't mention anything about needing to read files, to make a chance (change?) to the row. So you are not explaining everything and its wasting time."

I wrote this as my 2nd sentence in my original post. "I have a status column (Choice) which I want to change to Good, Expiring, or Expired depending on today's date."

I am using 'Get file properties' because I am wanting to edit metadata from a SharePoint library (1st sentence in original post), and I want to sequentially do the same edit process for every file in the library. I had done this previously at my last workplace and it worked fine, and I'm struggling to understand why it isn't working for me. I have screenshots of my previous flow which I'm trying to replicate.

Your answer has a lot of knowledge which may be clear to someone with experience, but which isn't obvious to me.

I believe, if I understand you correctly, that I am attempting to do your Option 1 - "Create an Apply to Each (aka For each) and have it loop through the Array of values form the Dynamic value property from your Get Files, thats exactly where i got my photo from, my Get Files and a loop"

When I'm in the interface, I can't select value - the only thing I can see is body/value

However, it seems to return the same outputs as your picture.

You wrote: "Well item() isn't in Scope, because you didn't LOOP through the data from Get Files, you can only use item in Loops or in Filter actions etc" The snip I posted in reply to this point was to clarify if this is what you meant to 'loop through the data from Get File', because I found that wording hard for me to understand.

I think I followed your fix exactly, but it didn't work, I still have the same error, so I'm not going to mark the answer as solved. Instead I asked a clarifying question and felt that I got told off - but I don't understand what I've done to deserve that...

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