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Session Id : bsWg64um5pYA4OFdCoPzax
Power Automate - Building Flows
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Populate a Microsoft Word template completing but not changing anything

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Posted on 12 Jan 2021 07:58:10 by 45

Hi All,

I've been trying to use the "Populate a Microsoft Word template" connector in power automate. I've done everything correctly and the flow runs fine however when I open the file. nothing has been changed.

 

I've seen people say it doesnt work with templates that are loaded into sharepoint so stored the template in onedrive:

https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Building-Flows/Word-Online-Business-Connector-Populate-a-Microsoft-Word/m-p/206836#M21785

 

I know the limitations on rich text and other controls from here: 

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/connectors/wordonlinebusiness/#how-to-create-microsoft-word-templates

 

So what i've done is created a really simple docx with 2 plain text controls and saved it to my onedrive.

 

I a forms response as a trigger as the input data to the template.

 

when I run it it completes no problems but when I actually open the file it doesn't show anything.

why is that?

 

  • Sam Misemer Profile Picture
    52 on 04 Dec 2023 at 18:58:15
    Re: Populate a Microsoft Word template completing but not changing anything

    @divyank_raj I am so sorry I never replied this was extremely helpful, thank you!!

  • divyank_raj Profile Picture
    Microsoft Employee on 01 Sep 2023 at 07:15:33
    Re: Populate a Microsoft Word template completing but not changing anything

    Hi @Lexanar 

     

    I followed this doc.

    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform/admin/using-word-templates-dynamics-365 

     

    What I essentially did was remove all the references to the dynamic values and re added them back to the template using the Developer Tab as illustrated in the documentation.

     

    Started working after I re did all the occurences.

     

    Thanks & Regards,

    Divyank Raj

  • Sam Misemer Profile Picture
    52 on 31 Aug 2023 at 19:20:36
    Re: Populate a Microsoft Word template completing but not changing anything

    @divyank_raj 

    Do you have a link to that documentation? I'd like to check mine to see what's missing/poorly formatted.

     

    Thank you in advance!

    -SCM

  • IAmBeingForced Profile Picture
    9 on 12 May 2023 at 21:50:05
    Re: Populate a Microsoft Word template completing but not changing anything

    It's typically template errors yes.

    I actually have started using Encodian, as it handles photos and arrays in a better way. 
    I would highly recommend checking it out to anyone.

    Their service and support team are amazing also.

    That being said, it can be just as tough to use as the built-in premium connectors. They have amazing documentation and instructional videos though.

    10/10

  • divyank_raj Profile Picture
    Microsoft Employee on 08 May 2023 at 06:17:42
    Re: Populate a Microsoft Word template completing but not changing anything

    In my case, the word template I had was ill formatted.
    I had to re-do the word template based on the official Microsoft documentation for creating word templates. Once I followed it to the letter and re-created my template, the output after the power automate flow was perfect in both the web and desktop version.

  • MRVIX Profile Picture
    13 on 08 May 2023 at 02:28:02
    Re: Populate a Microsoft Word template completing but not changing anything

    I'm facing the same issue at the moment. Anyone found a workaround for this?

  • IAmBeingForced Profile Picture
    9 on 30 Mar 2023 at 18:19:44
    Re: Populate a Microsoft Word template completing but not changing anything

    I am also still facing this issue. If I open my exported file in Word online, the data fields are filled out.
    The desktop client only shows the field names, however, the pen inputs are showing up (super strange).

    Does anyone have an answer?

  • divyank_raj Profile Picture
    Microsoft Employee on 01 Sep 2022 at 09:04:18
    Re: Populate a Microsoft Word template completing but not changing anything

    I'm facing the same issue.

    Did anyone ever find the solution to this issue?
    This seems like affecting many users.

  • gauburtin Profile Picture
    38 on 08 Apr 2022 at 16:07:59
    Re: Populate a Microsoft Word template completing but not changing anything

    I'm getting the same issue but it only occurs in sandbox environments. In a production environnement, all files (online and  downloaded files) are updated.

     

    Any idea ?

  • walter_pixelia Profile Picture
    16 on 05 Aug 2021 at 09:56:56
    Re: Populate a Microsoft Word template completing but not changing anything

    Hi Josi,

    I found that if you use a template that used the merge fields (which are orange if I remember correctly) the merge only works in Teams or online, whereas if within the Word template you replace the orange fields with the blue ones (Controls, text field - not RTF) everything works perfectly.

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