web
You’re offline. This is a read only version of the page.
close
Skip to main content

Announcements

News and Announcements icon
Community site session details

Community site session details

Session Id :
Power Platform Community / Forums / Power Automate / Zipping files, results...
Power Automate
Answered

Zipping files, results in error "already exists but it isn't a valid zip archive"

(2) ShareShare
ReportReport
Posted on by 8
Now this error makes senses, however, my action (Zip Files) works if I zip a subdirectory within the folder I'm trying to zip in entirety.
 
I have a large folder structure (C:\Users\Mike Bosko\Documents\ArcGIS\Projects) containing several arcgis projects.  Each project folder has a folder structure of it's own and some files can be large.
 
My action is set as follows:
Archive path: C:\Users\Mike Bosko\Documents\ArcGIS\GIS_Projects.zip
File(s) to zip: C:\Users\Mike Bosko\Documents\ArcGIS\Projects\
 
Run like this, I get the error:
 
Correlation Id: 113afcbd-0f94-4667-9cab-a0b17ec9307c
Microsoft.PowerPlatform.PowerAutomate.Desktop.Actions.SDK.ActionException: 'C:\Users\Mike Bosko\Documents\ArcGIS\GIS_Projects.zip' already exists but it isn't a valid zip archive
   at Microsoft.Flow.RPA.Desktop.Modules.Compression.Actions.ZipFiles.Execute(ActionContext context)
   at Microsoft.Flow.RPA.Desktop.Robin.Engine.Execution.ActionRunner.Run(IActionStatement statement, Dictionary`2 inputArguments, Dictionary`2 outputArguments)
 
HOWEVER, if I simply select a subfolder inside (aka, one of my individual project folders) it works just perfectly.
 
That is, if the action is set as follows:
Archive path: C:\Users\Mike Bosko\Documents\ArcGIS\GIS_Projects.zip
File(s) to zip: C:\Users\Mike Bosko\Documents\ArcGIS\Projects\Lnaches
 
I'm assuming this has something to do with the folder's size (~40gb) - vs the size of a single project folder (~4gb).  I'm just not sure how to nail down what is causing this error.  I **can** zip the full Projects folder manually without issue.
Categories:
I have the same question (0)
  • Suggested answer
    Nived_Nambiar Profile Picture
    18,138 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at
    Hi,
     
    seems like file size is the issue may be, could you try with different options under Compression level and see whether anything works for you ?
     
    Also when error is thrown - does the zip file is created there ?
     
     
    Thanks & Regards,
    Nived N 
    LinkedIn: Nived N's LinkedIn
    YouTube: Nived N's YouTube Channel
    Blog: Nived Nambiar's Blogs
     Found my answer helpful? Please consider marking it as the solution!
     Your appreciation keeps me motivated. Thank you!

     
  • MB-30081925-0 Profile Picture
    8 on at
    Thanks, yes, I've tried different compression methods - all result in the same.  It seems like it barely gets started zipping before it errors out. When doing this manually, it takes about 30minutes - this errors out within 25 seconds of starting the process.
  • MB-30081925-0 Profile Picture
    8 on at
    And NO, the zip file never gets created when zipping the full folder.  It does, however, get created properly when only zipping one of the subfolders. This is truly unfortunate - zip works fine when I run it manually (using File Explorer, Compress to | Zip file).
  • Suggested answer
    Nived_Nambiar Profile Picture
    18,138 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at
    Hi,
     
    so size would be the issue. Just found some useful information over internet regarding same, could you try to execute the zipping via powershell script and see whether that works ?
     
     
    Thanks & Regards,
    Nived N 
    LinkedIn: Nived N's LinkedIn
    YouTube: Nived N's YouTube Channel
    Blog: Nived Nambiar's Blogs
     Found my answer helpful? Please consider marking it as the solution!
     Your appreciation keeps me motivated. Thank you!

     
     

Under review

Thank you for your reply! To ensure a great experience for everyone, your content is awaiting approval by our Community Managers. Please check back later.

Helpful resources

Quick Links

Introducing the 2026 Season 1 community Super Users

Congratulations to our 2026 Super Users!

Kudos to our 2025 Community Spotlight Honorees

Congratulations to our 2025 community superstars!

Congratulations to the March Top 10 Community Leaders!

These are the community rock stars!

Leaderboard > Power Automate

#1
Haque Profile Picture

Haque 589

#2
Valantis Profile Picture

Valantis 459

#3
11manish Profile Picture

11manish 382

Last 30 days Overall leaderboard