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Selecting desired file in browser pop-up window

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Dear Sir/Madam,

I am trying to select a file from a browser window. The file to be selected may change in terms of file name.

Currently, the flow selects the file from a browser pop-up window based on clicking, and the file to be selected is unable to varied by making the name of the file a variable.

I tried out defining and using variables, and it seems I am able to use them in flow actions like increasing their value by one, but how do I apply this to the clicking action.

Selecting of file from pop-up window of browser:

Flow action defined to select the desired file:

Would appreciate some advice on how to automate the selection of file varied based on file name (i.e. the flow selects "file1.txt" the first time, and then "file2.txt" the next time and so on, in the pop-up browser window). Such as by making the selected file name be a variable, instead of clicking the same file every time, or some other possible solutions.

Appreciate the help.

Yours Sincerely,

Tan Boon Chang

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Power Automate Desktop

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UshaJyothiKasibhotla 229 Moderator on at

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Use populate text field on window by giving the variable of your file name for typing the file name which is stored in the variable
You have to use populate text field in window for typing the file name in window
Then click on open by using click activity
Hope this helps
Usha
Nived_Nambiar 18,138 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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Hi @Anonymous

A simple solution 🙂

Why don't you make the flow to type the complete file path (including the file name) in the below highlighted field using UI Automation actions as @UshaJyothi20 said. That would be most reliable approach !

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Nived N 🚀

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Hi, thank you for the reply. It is working currently. I am wondering if there is a way to select the file based on timestamp (i.e. date created in folder)?

Best regards,
Tan Boon Chang
Agnius Bartninkas Most Valuable Professional on at

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If you have received a reply to your topic, please make sure you accept it as a solution, so that it is easier for others to find it later on.

As for the other question - to get a file, you will need to use the Get files in folder action. You can then apply sorting based on the created date in the advanced options of the action. This will return a list, so even if you are expecting only one file, you will still need to access it as %Files[0]% (to get the first item in the list).

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Community Power Pla... Microsoft Employee on at

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Thanks for reply.

I saw a similar post and solution: https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Power-Automate-Desktop/Move-only-top-file-from-folder/td-p/1837115
Community Power Pla... Microsoft Employee on at

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Hi,

I have tried this and is able to get the latest file.
However, the flow actually paste the file with the whole file path into the file name of the selection window.

Correct me if I am wrong. From this, it seems that "%Files[0]%" contains the whole file path of the file (i.e. "C:\User\etc\file1.txt", instead of only "file1.txt") How do I extract the file name only, without the whole file path? Is there tools to cut particular portion from an obtained "%Files[0]"? Is this issue only occurring for the selection window which I am using?

Best regards,
Tan Boon Chang
Nived_Nambiar 18,138 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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Hi @Anonymous

You can get the file name like trying this expression:

%Files[0].FullName%

Thanks & Regards,
Nived N 🚀

LinkedIn: Nived N's LinkedIn
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Hi Nived,

Your instruction does not work.
It is still having the whole file path.

Best regards,
Tan Boon Chang
Nived_Nambiar 18,138 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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Hi @Anonymous

Sorry my mistake,

It should be : %Files[0].Name%

Thanks & Regards,
Nived N 🚀

LinkedIn: Nived N's LinkedIn
YouTube: Nived N's YouTube Channel

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Hi Nived,

Thank you. It worked.
Side note. Is there a way to wait for new files to appear in the folder, and then the flow starts?

Best regards,
Tan Boon Chang