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Power Platform Community / Forums / Power Automate / Power Automate Flow Fa...
Power Automate
Suggested Answer

Power Automate Flow Fails Due to Image Size (Base64 Limit Exceeded)

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Posted on by 3

Hi everyone,

 

I’m running into a critical issue with large image uploads across Power Apps, SharePoint, Power Automate, and a SQL-based Paginated Report. I’ll explain the setup and the problem below.

 

Setup / Flow Overview

 

  1.  

    Power Apps:

    Users take or upload photos using a Power Apps app. The data is saved to a SharePoint list (images stored as attachments or in an image column).


  2.  

    Power Automate:

    A flow triggers when an item is created/modified in the SharePoint list. The flow:

     

    •  

      Gets the SharePoint image(s)


    •  

      Converts them to Base64


    •  

      Inserts the Base64 strings into a SQL Server table (columns: ProjectNumber, Comment, Image1, Image2).



    •  

  3.  

    Paginated Report (Power BI Report Builder):

    Displays the data from SQL, including the images.



  4.  
 

The Problem

 

Everything works fine for smaller images, but when users upload new photos from mobile devices (high resolution), the flow fails.

The error message shows that the payload exceeds the Power Automate / Service Bus limit (~8 MB).

 

As a result:

 

  •  

    The flow stops.


  •  

    The large images are not inserted into SQL.


  •  

    The Paginated Report then shows missing images.



  •  
 

If I manually take a screenshot of the same photo and re-upload it through SharePoint, it works — likely because the screenshot file size is smaller.

 

What I’ve Tried

 

  •  

    I’ve checked and optimized my Paginated Report, but the issue clearly happens before the data reaches SQL (in the flow).


  •  

    I’ve considered converting images to smaller sizes manually, but that’s not practical for end users.


  •  

    I suspect the best fix is to resize or compress the images automatically, either in:

     

    •  

      Power Apps (client-side) before submission, or


    •  

      Power Automate (server-side) before converting to Base64.



    •  


  •  
 

What I Need Help With

 

  1.  

    Is there a recommended way to compress or resize images in Power Apps or Power Automate before inserting them into SQL?


  2.  

    Are there built-in methods or connectors that can help compress images automatically?



  3.  
  4.  

    If I stay with Base64, can I split the file into chunks or reduce the image quality dynamically?



  5.  
 

Any working examples, Power Apps formulas, or Power Automate flow setups would be greatly appreciated.

 

This issue is blocking our reporting setup, so I’d be very grateful for a clear, practical solution or best-practice recommendation.

Categories:
I have the same question (0)
  • Suggested answer
    Tomac Profile Picture
    4,048 Moderator on at
     
    As you suspect, this issue is inside of Power Automate when it tries to load the large image into memory, and it is too large. The SQL calls will never get made.
     
    You'll need to fix this on the Power Apps side of things at the image import, to resize the images to a standard size. This thread recommends a few methods for accomplishing this task, but it looks like AI advice so be sure to test it.
  • Chriddle Profile Picture
    8,672 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at
  • Suggested answer
    Michael E. Gernaey Profile Picture
    53,969 Moderator on at
     
    So depending on how you created the Image Column, as it has changed, you can pull back one of the different sized Thumbnails instead of pulling back the entire full image.
     
    But it depends completely on when and how you created the column as it changed and became super annoying....
     
    But in this case you have to use the Send HTTP Request to SharePoint to grab the thumbmail you want. That would shrink it down a lot.
     
    You could split it into chunks (the larger image) yes, you could also have SQL Server itself grab the data using a Sproc, you could also save the file in a library, and pass the Url to SQL and have SQL grab it, there are also PCF Controls out there that can do this, or you can build one.
     
    Lol I made the mistake in my inventory app not to remember to fix my Column so that it actually gives me a url to the image... i had to redo the whole stinking list as the images were near impossible to get them out. It doesn't seem you have that issue, so go with grabbing the thumbnail size versions.
     
    Or if you really need the whole thing, you are going to need something like Encodian or a PCF control (pre sharepoint) or having SQL grab the data.
     
    Just some additional thoughts.,

    If these suggestions help resolve your issue, Please consider Marking the answer as such and also maybe a like.

    Thank you!
    Sincerely, Michael Gernaey
     
     
     

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