Unanswered

Getting "Failed to deserialize input arguments json" when calling flow with string argument

(2) Share

Report

Posted on by Brad Darragh

I have a simple flow that takes an Text input argument called "Parameter1"

When the parameter value contains no spaces, it works fine.

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Power Automate Desktop\PAD.Console.Host.exe" "ms-powerautomate:/console/flow/run?environmentid=xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx&workflowName=\"Test Flow that takes 1 parameter\"&inputArguments={\"Parameter1\":'Bradwashere'}"

When the parameter contains a space, it returns an error.

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Power Automate Desktop\PAD.Console.Host.exe" "ms-powerautomate:/console/flow/run?environmentid=xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx&workflowName=\"Test Flow that takes 1 parameter\"&inputArguments={\"Parameter1\":'Brad washere'}"

I am running Power Automate Desktop version 2.55.158.25087

Categories:

Power Automate Desktop

Screenshot 2025-0...

Your file is currently under scan for potential threats. Please wait while we review it for any viruses or malicious content.

I have the same question (0)

All responses (8)

Answers (0)

Michael E. Gernaey 53,335 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

Like (0)

Report

Hi @BD-12020342-0

Can you please type the error in, unfortunately your image probably will never get shown (its a platform thing not your issue"

Also, you have to take into account that you should encode the Uri since it has a space, and then it needs to be decoded after. Since this is essentially a URI

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
Suggested answer

stampcoin 5,058 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

Like (0)

Report

@BD-12020342-0 Hi,

That doesn't look correct, the value of the parameter should be with double-quoted, not single.

inputArguments={\"Parameter1\":'Brad washere'}❌

inputArguments={\"Parameter1\":"Brad washere"}✅

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
Brad Darragh 10 on at

Like (0)

Report

I agree that the JSON Key/Value pair should use double quotes.

The Microsoft documentation indicated that double quotes should use the escape character \"

However, both of these fail.

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Power Automate Desktop\PAD.Console.Host.exe" "ms-powerautomate:/console/flow/run?environmentid=xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx&workflowName=\"Test Flow that takes 1 parameter\"&inputArguments={\"Parameter1\":\"Bradwashere\"}"

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Power Automate Desktop\PAD.Console.Host.exe" "ms-powerautomate:/console/flow/run?environmentid=xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx&workflowName=\"Test Flow that takes 1 parameter\"&inputArguments={\"Parameter1\":\"Brad washere\"}"

This is the error message

Exception message: Failed to deserialize input arguments json

I do know that this did work in previous versions of Power Automate Desktop but no longer works in 2.55.

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
stampcoin 5,058 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

Like (0)

Report

@Brad Darragh Hi,

Could you please reshare your screenshot ? The one you uploaded is not available.

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
Brad Darragh 10 on at

Like (0)

Report

Here is the screenshot of the error that I am seeing.

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
Brad Darragh 10 on at

Like (0)

Report

I really think that this is a defect in the current release of Power Automate Desktop.

How do I formally log this defect with Microsoft?

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
Suggested answer

Brad Darragh 10 on at

Like (0)

Report

Hello everyone.

After speaking with Microsoft, I solved the issue.

There are actually two instances of PAD.Console.Host.exe

1. "C:\Program Files (x86)\Power Automate Desktop\PAD.Console.Host.exe"
2. "C:\Program Files (x86)\Power Automate Desktop\dotnet\PAD.Console.Host.exe"

I was using the first path and I was getting the error.

When I use the second path (in the dotnet subdirectory) it works successfully.

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
stampcoin 5,058 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

Like (0)

Report

@Brad Darragh Hi,

Thanks for sharing.👍

Was this reply helpful? Yes No