Unanswered

Cannot get CurrentItem to work within a Loop in Power Automate Desktop

(0) Share

Report

Posted on by QoE71

I'm new to power automate. I'm trying to do a simple look up of a last name from excel and then using SQL to return the patient number from our database. I've watched several videos and looked at several posts on this board, but something seems off. If I hard code a last name into the SQL, it finds the patient number, but when I use %CurrentItem['last name'], it finds nothing.

It is my understanding that the correct syntax is %CurrentItem['last name'], yet when I use that, it does not make any hits in my excel sheet.

When I click on the variable button and select CurrentItem, it inserts this which looks different from every video and post I have seen.

I would appreciate any insight that could be offered.

Thanks

Categories:

Building flows

I have the same question (0)

All responses (5)

Answers (0)

Nguyen-WI 15 on at

Like (0)

Report

Looks like the problem is the data isn't being accessed properly.
I use PA for more CRUD related operations so what I need to write seems to be different than yours.

When using array notation, it typically looks like the follow for me:
item( )?['property']
Notice the "?" prior to accessing the property

Else, try dot notation:
$(CurrentItem.'last name')
%CurrentItem.'last name'

I don't have experience using PA with Excel or SQL so I can't speak for the syntax but it looks like you just need to figure out the correct syntax.

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
QoE71 2 on at

Like (0)

Report

Thank you for the response. Unfortunately, I've tried the three different notations you suggested and they either errored out or didn't return a value. I'm confused as to why the variable looks different from other variables I've used in other automations. I guess I still have a lot to learn about Power Automate Desktop.

Thank you again,
Lisa

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
Nguyen-WI 15 on at

Like (0)

Report

@QoE71 wrote:
Thank you for the response. Unfortunately, I've tried the three different notations you suggested and they either errored out or didn't return a value. I'm confused as to why the variable looks different from other variables I've used in other automations. I guess I still have a lot to learn about Power Automate Desktop.

Thank you again,
Lisa
My last guess:
"to access a property of a dynamic variable, you typically use the %VariableName.PropertyName% format"
%CurrentItem.LastName% // Make sure you properly rename the property

I hope this helps or you find the solution soon!

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
CU01122313-0 2 on at

Like (0)

Report

Hi Lisa,

I too have a similar problem.

I tried following this excellent tutorial, https://youtu.be/FH_7D402lP8?si=KsJ_jmvIx2DQoToh

But at 1:58 he opens the "Read from Excel" action and the Excel Instance on the action is prefilled with %ExcelInstance" and I understand why. However when I add in the action mine is prefilled with =ExcelInstance (NOTE no % signs used...) BUT It works.

However it all falls apart. Later, at 6:01 again his action shows %Currentitem% whereas mine shows =CurrentItem but after that I can't get it to work!?!?!

I can't imagine they have changed the way PA works and the video is out of date, but I'm baffled.

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
Thanura09 192 on at

Like (2)

Report

I suppose this happens when you check the 'enable powerFx' in the begining, so the traditional methods won't work as intended, therefore you should access this as =CurrentItem.'Column Name' (if column is text type)

5 people found this reply helpful.

Was this reply helpful? Yes No