Expression inside compose action failed to convert date to MMM-yyyyy

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Posted on by third_learner

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Hello. Asking for your help regarding an error to my flow.

Background:
I want to convert the dynamic value from Get Items of SharePoint to convert the Resources Assigned Date to MMM-yyyy (ex. Aug 2024). I am using this expression but failed to format the date:

formatDateTime(items('Apply_to_each')?['Resources Assigned Date'], 'MMM-yyyy')

Error:
Unable to process template language expressions in action 'Compose_2' inputs at line '0' and column '0': 'The template language function 'formatDateTime' expects its first parameter to be of type string. The provided value is of type 'Null'. Please see https://aka.ms/logicexpressions#formatdatetime for usage details.'.

Note that there is a data in Resources Assigned Date

Here's my flow:

The expression is inside the Compose 2 action

Thank you in advance for your help

Categories:

Building flows

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v-mengmli-msft on at

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Hi @third_learner ,

I recommend you use if in your current expression, please try this:
if(empty(items('Apply_to_each')?['Resources Assigned Date']),'',formatDateTime(items('Apply_to_each')?['Resources Assigned Date'],'MMM-yyyy'))

Best regards,
Rimmon

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third_learner 115 on at

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@v-mengmli-msft

The flow did not generate an error based on your expression but the date does not appear when the flow finally send an email See below

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ManishSolanki 15,091 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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Hi @third_learner

Pls try the below expression to handle null values. The below expression will return NA when date is not specified for a list item:

if(equals(items('Apply_to_each')?['ResourcesAssignedDate'],null),'NA',formatDateTime(items('Apply_to_each')?['ResourcesAssignedDate'], 'MMM-yyyy'))

If it is giving NA for all list items irrespective of date value in that column then I would suggest you to use internal name of the column in the above expression.

To get internal name, pls check out my previous solution where I have mentioned the steps to get the internal name of a column or field:

Solved: Filter Query for Get Items - anything due in 7-14 ... - Power Platform Community (microsoft.com)

If this helps & solves your problem, please remember to give a 👍 and accept my solution as it will help others in the future.

Thanks

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third_learner 115 on at

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@ManishSolanki A big thank you for helping me. It is now working. Really Appreciate it

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v-mengmli-msft on at

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Hi @third_learner ,

This is because in current expression, if the current value is null, the expression returns a blank value. If you don't want it to be blank, you can fill in the expression with the value you want.

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third_learner 115 on at

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@v-mengmli-msft Thank you also for helping me.

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third_learner 115 on at

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@ManishSolanki A big thank you for helping me. It is now working. Really Appreciate it

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