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

Community site session details

Session Id : lvcP5bnEoNz/TsmfE0LxcL
Power Automate - Using Flows
Answered

File Approval History Retained but desire is to not retain it

Like (0) ShareShare
ReportReport
Posted on 17 Feb 2020 23:17:31 by 2

When a file is copied from SharePoint into a new folder with a different name it seems to keep it's approval history.  It's indicating it is "Approved" even though the newly copied file is not yet approved.  In document history, it shows a new version 1.0 but it also shows it as approved on that version, even though it was not yet approved.  The copy method was to upload it into the new folder from the old folder from a OneDrive synched location of a SharePoint Documents list with a file name change.  When the same file is uploaded with a name change from a local share drive location it saves as a new file with no approval history.  Is there a way to allow a file to be copied in SharePoint or from a synched folder where the old file retains it's approval history and the new file resets to a Pending approval status?

 

I wasn't able to find an answer from various searches and I really appreciate any feedback anyone can offer.

  • Zcehajic Profile Picture
    2 on 18 Jul 2023 at 10:25:34
    Re: File Approval History Retained but desire is to not retain it

    Dear All,

    I am not sure that is the same issue, in my case 'Request Sign-off' approved document (file) . After approval, file being downloaded and modified (content and rename) . Again uploaded has the same status approved as 'original' file ? Could this behavior be changed ?

  • Verified answer
    v-litu-msft Profile Picture
    on 24 Feb 2020 at 08:03:11
    Re: File Approval History Retained but desire is to not retain it

    Hi @Spartan,

     

    I guess the Approval column is the custom column you created, right? So the status of the Approval column will copy from the original file.

    What I am testing column is the default Approval column, and it won't copy the status of the approval, there are steps that how to open the feature:

    1. Go to the library for which you want to require approval.

    2. Click Settings, Library Settings.

      If you don't see these menu items, click Library on the ribbon, and then click

      Library settings in the Settings group

    3. Under General Settings, select Versioning settings to open the Versioning Settings page.1f3641ca-c8b7-4ede-9fd6-78d885834215.png 

    4. In the Content Approval section, select Yes in answer to the Require content approval for submitted items? In the Document Version History section, specify whether you want SharePoint to create versions when a file is edited. You can also choose to limit the number of versions that are retained.

    5. In the Draft Item Security section, determine which users can see draft items in the document library.74985680-fbf0-4d00-93cb-fa09af982931.png

       

    Best Regards,
    Community Support Team _ Lin Tu
    If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

  • Spartan Profile Picture
    2 on 23 Feb 2020 at 02:41:57
    Re: File Approval History Retained but desire is to not retain it

    Copying using flow or manual will create a file as version 1.0, but it still seems to show as "Approved" in version history under version 1.0 and also in an approve, reject, or pending field in SharePoint Documents.  I was thinking of a file save trigger to change the field and approval status, but it seems to change both files as it seems to see both as one instance.  Ideally what I want is the ability to copy as a new file instance so that the newly copied file can be re-routed with flow for a approval and the previous file remains as it was as approved, rejected or pending.  If I upload the file from a non-O365 source it does seem to load it as a new instance, but doing this rather than simply copying the file from one folder to another is not a good solution.

     

  • v-litu-msft Profile Picture
    on 18 Feb 2020 at 08:56:09
    Re: File Approval History Retained but desire is to not retain it

    Hi @Spartan,

     

    You can use the Copy file action to approach it, for example:

    Original File:

     

    Annotation 2020-02-17 171832.png

     

    Flow:

    Annotation 2020-02-17 171833.png

     Result in SharePoint:

    Annotation 2020-02-18 164816.png

     

    Best Regards,
    Community Support Team _ Lin Tu
    If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

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

Announcing our 2025 Season 2 Super Users!

A new season of Super Users has arrived, and we are so grateful for…

Paul Stork – Community Spotlight

We are honored to recognize Paul Stork as our July 2025 Community…

Congratulations to the June Top 10 Community Leaders!

These are the community rock stars!

Leaderboard > Power Automate

#1
Michael E. Gernaey Profile Picture

Michael E. Gernaey 497 Super User 2025 Season 2

#2
David_MA Profile Picture

David_MA 436 Super User 2025 Season 2

#3
Riyaz_riz11 Profile Picture

Riyaz_riz11 244 Super User 2025 Season 2

Featured topics

Restore a deleted flow
Loading complete