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Check if File is in Specified Folder

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Posted on by 12

Hello,

I have a requirement where I need to search for partial file names listed in an Excel sheet within a specific subfolder, and then copy the matching files to another folder.

What I've accomplished:

  • I have successfully iterated through the Excel sheet and filtered the necessary data. The file names I'm looking for are in the "File" column of the "Filter Array" result.
  • I also obtained a list of files in the folder (the folders listed in the excel sheet) using the "Get Files (properties)" action.
 

What I'm struggling with:

The next step  to check if the  "File" from the Excel sheet is present (contains) in the folder . I encounter an error when trying to use a condition or another "Filter Array 1" action to perform this check in the "Apply to each".

Please help on how to achieve this. Thanks in advance.
 
  • abm abm Profile Picture
    abm abm 32,275 on at
    Check if File is in Specified Folder
    Hi
     
    Looks like you are getting null for the filter and it expects the data there. Check the run history and make sure why its returning null. You can add an additional check whether the data is returned or not before the Filter Array.

    Also look all the mapping are correct. Get File properties should return only one data set not an array.
     
    Thanks
  • creativeopinion Profile Picture
    creativeopinion 10,056 on at
    Check if File is in Specified Folder
    Your Apply to Each action isn't looping through the outputs of the filtered array. It's looping through the outputs from the Get Files Properties only action.
     
    You might be interested in these YT Tutorials:

     

    In this video tutorial I’ll show you 3 practical ways to use the Filter Array action and how to use it properly.
    1️⃣ Cross-Referencing Data
    2️⃣ Filtering by Key
    3️⃣ Substring Matching

    Did you know that the Condition action has a limit of 10 conditions? Although it might look like the Filter Array action can only accept one condition—this is not true. By using the advanced mode you can enter multiple conditions into a Filter Array action with an expression.

    IN THIS VIDEO:
    ✓ 3 Ways to Use the Filter Array Action
    ✓ How to use the Scope Action to Group Actions
    ✓ How to Check the Number of Items returned from a Filter Array Action
    ✓ How to Cross-Reference Data in Excel with a SharePoint List
    ✓ How the Filter Array Action Works
    ✓ How to Access the Dynamic Content from a Filter Array Action
    ✓ How to Filter Items by a Key
    ✓ How to Filter Items by Matching a Substring
    ✓ How to Use Multiple Conditions in a Filter Array Action

    ---

    In this tutorial—I’m going to show you a quicker way to get the dynamic content from your Filter Array action—and it doesn’t require writing an expression.

    IN THIS VIDEO:
    ✓ How to Loop Through Filter Array Results in Power Automate
    ✓ Using Apply to Each with Filtered Arrays
    ✓ The Easiest Way to Access Dynamic Content from Filter Array
    ✓ Fixing Nested Apply to Each Actions
    ✓ When to Use Value vs. Body Dynamic Content
    ✓ Simplifying Power Automate Flows with Filter Array
    ✓ Troubleshooting Filter Array and Apply to Each Issues

    ---

    In this video tutorial I’ll go over how to avoid these common mistakes when using the Apply to Each action in a Power Automate flow:
    1️⃣ Looping through a Single Item
    2️⃣ Creating Unnecessary Nested Loops
    3️⃣ Looping through an Unfiltered Array

    At the end of the video I share a few helpful insights when it comes to using the Apply to Each action in your flow.

    IN THIS VIDEO:
    ✓ How to avoid the Apply to Each action with a single item array
    ✓ How to use the item() function to access dynamic content in an array
    ✓ How to prevent unnecessary nested Apply to Each action loops
    ✓ How to use the Select action
    ✓ How to convert an array to a string with the Select action
    ✓ How to use the Filter Query field
    ✓ How to count the number of items in an array
    ✓ How to use a condition control
    ✓ How to use the concurrency control
    ✓ How to set a top count
    ✓ How to use Compose actions for troubleshooting
     
     
     
    Hope this helps!

    Consider giving me a ❤️ if you liked my response!

    👉 Level up your Power Automate skills by checking out my tutorials on YouTube
    👉 Tips and Tricks on TikTok and Instagram
     
  • CU13012033-0 Profile Picture
    CU13012033-0 12 on at
    Check if File is in Specified Folder
    I tried this filter array 1:
     
     
     
     
    and I get the below error:
     

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