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updating duration fields in a list

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Posted on by emfocuser

I have a SharePoint list for maintenance issues. It has a calculated column for 'issue duration', which does a "datedif()" using the Creation date and the "Today()" function. For a particular record, the duration function only gets updated if and when that record gets opened and resaved. As an experiment I made a duplicate list, but with a "todaysDate" column that is populated by a Power Automate scheduled flow. Each morning the flow does a 'get all items' from that column and updates all the records. The calculated column uses todaysDate instead of Today(), so the all items view always shows updated durations.

Now I added a second calculated column, a 'durationUsingFunction" column, which again uses the "Today()" function. I was going to try another flow aimed at that column, but I never got to. The durationUsingFunction column is updating itself every day, without a flow and without opening records. It would appear the the flow which updates the 'todaysDate' column is acting like an open-and-edit on all the records and causing the unrelated calculated column to update. I guess my question is: 'would any scheduled flow operation on the list cause all calculated columns to update? If so which one would be the simplest?'.
Can anyone confirm that the unrelated calculated column update should be happening?
Is there a simplest flow that would do this?
Thanks

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Hardesh15 7,087 Super User 2024 Season 1 on at

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@emfocuser

if you are adding default value in a column it will be updated to default value. Remove default value from your flow then it will stop updating that column.

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Hardesh

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emfocuser 6 on at

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Neither of the calculated columns has a default value.

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Hardesh15 7,087 Super User 2024 Season 1 on at

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@emfocuser

i am doubt that because-
I added a second calculated column, a 'durationUsingFunction" column, which again uses the "Today()" function.The durationUsingFunction column is updating itself every day,

Because you supplied formula Today() and it will update your column everyday with today date.
pls share you flow screens.

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Hardesh

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emfocuser 6 on at

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the calculated column that is not pointed to in the flow, but is getting updated anyway, uses the Today() function in the calculation (not default value).
My purpose is not to stop the unrelated calculated value column from updating. I am pleasantly surprised by it. Just trying to understand it. For instance, 'would any flow acting on the list do the extra updating'?
(I may have time to unpack the flow later.)

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Hardesh15 7,087 Super User 2024 Season 1 on at

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@emfocuser

Calculated column works on list item level. when you create a calculated column and supply formula it applies to all list item whether you create a new one or exited items it does not matter. it has nothing to do with flow. Suppose through flow you are creating a list item in a list then calculated column automatically apply your formula in this created item.

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Hardesh

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emfocuser 6 on at

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The calculated column applies to every item, but in my other lists, they don't update unless I open that record for edit and then save. They don't update just sitting there. In the new list it must be the flow which makes the column update every day, even tho the flow was designed to update a different field.

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Community Power Pla... on at

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I see now the "Report Date" is also being updated. That field is in both calculated columns' calculations. That must be why they both get updated when the flow runs. Taking a look at the flow helped. Thanks.

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