Issue with automatic synchronization of Forms responses to Excel via API

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Posted on by MargNIOP

Hello,

I used to retrieve all responses from a Microsoft Forms form automatically into an Excel file using the following API

This API would generate an Excel file with up-to-date responses, which I could then process with Power Automate for various analyses.

Since a recent update, even when calling this API with forcereexport='true', the generated Excel file remains empty. I am forced to manually click the “Sync” button in Excel Online for the responses to actually be imported into the file.

I also cannot use the “Get Response” solution directly on the forms because I have several forms created automatically every month, and I cannot create a separate Power Automate flow for each form.

This situation blocks my full automation process.

Could you please help me find a way around this? Is there a method to force the synchronization of Forms responses into the Excel file via API or another automated method without manual intervention?

Thank you in advance for your support.

@stampcoin @WarrenBelz

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Building flows

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stampcoin 5,058 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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@MargNIOP Hi,

How do you invoke/consume the API ? custom connector or http connector or other connector's http request ?

Do you mean it worked before but not now even just once ? Or now and then ?

What http status code did you get ?

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MargNIOP 18 on at

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Hello stampcoin

I am using HTTP connectors in Power Automate to duplicate and process Forms.

To duplicate an existing form, I use:

POST formapi/api/@{variables('TenantId')}/groups/@{variables('GroupId')}/light/forms('@{variables('TemplateFormId')}')/CopyToUser

Body:

{ "newOwnerId": "@{variables('GroupId')}", "newTenantId": "@{variables('TenantId')}", "isNewOwnerGroup": true, "patchProperties": { "title": "@{variables('Title')}" } }

Then, I generate the Excel file related to this form with:

formapi/api/@{variables('TenantId')}/groups/@{variables('GroupId')}/GetOrNewExcelInOneDrive(formid='@{variables('NewFormId')}',forcereexport='true')

A few months ago, this process worked correctly — the Excel file automatically contained all the responses from Forms.

Now, when I open the generated Excel file, I see the following message:

"Forms synchronization is no longer recommended. Forms is no longer synchronized with this workbook. To continue synchronizing new responses, update the workbook."

This means responses are no longer automatically inserted into the Excel file. We must now manually click the update button to retrieve the Forms responses.

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stampcoin 5,058 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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@MargNIOP Hi,

I did a test with Invoke an HTTP request (HTTP with Microsoft Entra ID (preauthorized)(Don't want to register an app...).

formapi/api/@{variables('TenantId')}/groups/@{variables('GroupId')}/GetOrNewExcelInOneDrive(formid='@{variables('NewFormId')}',forcereexport='true') works for me.

I can see the file created each time invoke it with synced data.

I will test the other post you mentioned ( not sure if light can be used, I cannot find it ) later.

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MargNIOP 18 on at

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Hi stampcoin ,

When I run the following query:

formapi/api/@{variables('TenantId')}/groups/@{variables('GroupId')}/GetOrNewExcelInOneDrive(formid='@{variables('NewFormId')}',forcereexport='true')

The Excel file is created, but the data is not synchronized automatically. I see this message:

"Forms synchronization is no longer recommended. Forms is no longer synchronized with this workbook. To continue synchronizing new responses, update the workbook."

I have to manually click the button in Excel to refresh and get the synchronized data.

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stampcoin 5,058 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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@MargNIOP Hi,

Can you try to use 'Invoke an HTTP request (HTTP with Microsoft Entra ID (preauthorized)' instead?

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MargNIOP 18 on at

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Hi stampcoin ,

I use the same connector : Invoke an HTTP request (HTTP with Microsoft Entra ID (preauthorized)

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stampcoin 5,058 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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@MargNIOP Hi,

thanks for confirming that. Have you tried a new form ?

I cannot reproduce the problem you encountered. Do you mind giving me more details on the form side ?

For example how you create it, anything special settings, permission, etc. So I can use that for testing.

I think (hope) that invoke API shouldn't be any problem.

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MargNIOP 18 on at

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Hi stampcoin,

You don't even see that message in the generated Excel file: "The updated synchronisation only works in Excel on the web at the moment and will soon be available on the desktop. Once the responses are synchronised, you will be able to see them on the web and on the desktop.
If you have an automated workflow that requires this workbook to be synchronised without being open, you can use Power Automate to set up a new workflow after this update." ??

For me the excel file is generated but with syc message.

I've tried a very simple form with standard permissions, one response per person.

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stampcoin 5,058 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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@MargNIOP Hi,

I share what I did(minimal):

1. Create a form with Account A.

2. Collect responses, Send and collect responses via Outlook.

3. Fill the form via Account B ( same group, normal user) and submit.

4. Then run the flow via Account A.

5. Add compose to measure the length without open the file ( I can see the length grows).

Did I miss anything ?

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