Populate a Microsoft Word template, not adopting the 'filled in' style

(2) Share

Report

Posted on by adriennevh

The output from 'Populate a Microsoft Word template' action is producing the content for me successfully, but it's changing the placeholder text, and not acting as thought it's been filled in. My placeholder text is grey, and it should turn black when it's filled in. And in some cases, change font.

When filed in in the document it looks like this:

When filled in via the automation, it looks like this:

Is there any way in the automation to trigger the styling associated with the 'filled in' version? I am using DynamicFileSchema. However i got the same result when i filled in each field individually.

I also tried to use html in a compose action to force a colour (red in this case)

concat('<p style="color:red;">',variables('varFields')?['ActionPlanGoal1'],'</p>')

I know it's not the end of the world, but I would like a professional looking end result.

Categories:

Building flows

I have the same question (0)

All responses (5)

Answers (0)

Sort by

Suggested answer

Haque 3,653 on at

Like
a
(1)

Report
Copy link

Link copied!
Hi @adriennevh,

Let's find out why this happens:

Probably the “Populate a Microsoft Word template” action replaces content controls (placeholders) with plain text.

It does not preserve the original placeholder formatting or interactive form field behavior.

The output document shows the replaced text but no longer acts like a fillable form or retains the placeholder style.

Use Content Controls Properly in the Template: Ensure your Word template uses content controls (Developer tab → Rich Text Content Control or Plain Text Content Control) for placeholders. The action replaces these controls’ content but removes the control itself after replacement.

If you want to keep the “fillable” form style: Instead of “Populate a Microsoft Word template,” consider:

Using Word Online (Business) connector’s “Fill in Word Document” action if available.

Using Open XML SDK or custom code to manipulate content controls without removing them.

Using third-party tools or APIs that preserve content controls after filling.

If you like, can go for alternative approach:

Use Power Automate Desktop with Word automation to fill form fields while preserving the form structure. Or generate a PDF from the filled document if interactivity is not required.

I am sure some clues I tried to give. If these clues help to resolve the issue brought you by here, please don't forget to check the box Does this answer your question? At the same time, I am pretty sure you have liked the response!

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
adriennevh 42 on at

Like
a
(2)

Report
Copy link

Link copied!

@Haque Thank you for the reply. But I think you misinterpreted my issue.

The automation is maintaining the content controls, and maintaining it's 'fillability', as they should be, but it is not adopting the content control fields' 'filled in' appearance as I have setup in the Content Controls menu.

Rich Text content controls are not available to fill in, in the "Populate a Microsoft Word template" action. Only the Plain Text can be filled in by that action.

Lastly, the Fill in Word Document is not an action available to me.

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
Suggested answer

chiaraalina 2,425 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

Like
a
(1)

Report
Copy link

Link copied!

Hi

Is it an option to format the placeholder in the desired output formatting (font/color/etc.)?

If not, you could use an Office Script to change the formatting after the Word file is created. You can run it after you create your Word file step in Power Automate.

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
adriennevh 42 on at

Like
a
(1)

Report
Copy link

Link copied!

@chiaraalina That is my work around if I can't find a better solution.

But that's a good thought to run the script... I'll look into that option

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
chiaraalina 2,425 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

Like
a
(1)

Report
Copy link

Link copied!

Sure @adriennevh, let me know if you need help!

Was this reply helpful? Yes No