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Update blank/Null value to fields (Date, User, Choice field etc.) in SharePoint list / database

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Scenario : I have saved an item to the SharePoint list and later decided to remove data from some fields (Date field, User field etc). Edit the item and delete the field value and Save it back to datasource (SharePoin list / SQL database)

Issue : PowerApps does not update the field to empty / null value. The field value remains as such in list.

Solution : Enable the "Experimental features" as shown in below screenshot. This will resolve the issue and you will be able to update field value to null after that.

Experimental Feature.png

Reference : https://powerapps.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/new-feature-error-handling-and-writing-null-values-to-databases/

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Building Power Apps

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v-micsh-msft on at

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Thanks for your sharing.

Regards,

Michael

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zac1 51 on at

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Thanks so much@!

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fless1 55 on at

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enabled but how do I blank the date value in sharepoint list to zero?

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Community Power Pla... on at

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Edit the item and don't enter any value in Date field to submit blank date.
If your requirement is to submit 0 (zero) as the date value, then you need to consider that the date format type does not allow to do so.
Instead of that, submit blank date and in the display form include function to display 0 (zero) if date is blank.

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fless1 55 on at

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Thanks Sanoj but that is not what I need to do.

I have a date select when someone checks out a laptop from loan pool. The return date is selected so we know when it's due back. These details are then written to sharepoint list

When the laptop is returned, I need to write null value into the date format column in sharepoint. There is no item to edit, just need to write "" to a date format column

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Community Power Pla... on at

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How and when (is there any event like a button click or so) the details are written to SharePoint list.
Similarly, trigger the event when the laptop is returned and update the list.
Use Patch function to update the item.
Reference : https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerapps/maker/canvas-apps/functions/function-patch

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fless1 55 on at

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pls provide code for this - what should go where XXX is? Can't use 0. Can't use ""

Patch(List',lookup(List,id=thisitem.id),{returndate:XXX})

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Community Power Pla... on at

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I have a similar issue, but I need to be able to blank the date value in the sharepoint list.

Background:
I have a Redlight/Greenlight that checks a Field in the sharepoint list under a date/time formatted column.
If(!IsBlank(ApprovedDate), RGBA(12, 126, 44, 1), RGBA(255, 51, 51, 1))

This redlight/greenlight is simply a color indication if an item is approved or not. There are other parts of the app which patch in the date value to the Record in the sharepoint list at the time of approval. 'Sally' completes a task and her manager is informed via email. 'Sallys manager' views the task and approves it. Moments later 'Rachel' tells 'Sallys manager' that she received an invoice from 'Sally' with conflicting data. 'Sallys manager' now needs to clear the date value from the sharepoint list so that 'Sally' can rework the task.

Occasionally, mistakes are made and the Date value needs to be removed. The Admin (who has access to the sharepoint list) could simply go to the list and clear the date value, if I could figure out how to reset the values (instead of creating an admin interface and juggling user permissions).

The value of the date removal is that now the users of the app can go back to workflow.

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fless1 55 on at

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I ended up adding a second column in sharepoint

Date/time and text

I set text to be the date column that shows in sharepoint. Date/time column is hidden.
I set text field to = date or blank

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Community Power Pla... on at

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Hmm... Smart! That should work. I was just considering workarounds and was going to try conditioning everything to the 1800s and making the admin enter a designated ancient date. Your solution would keep things in the realm of common sense. Thanks!

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