Unanswered

Format date from a SharePoint list not working

(0) Share

Report

Posted on by Elisabeth1

I am trying to use information captured in a SharePoint list to populate a word document. One of the fields in the template is the 'Date Received', which is recorded in PowerApps and then uploaded to the SharePoint item.

If I just enter the 'date Received' dynamic content into the word template, it shows in format yyyy-MM-dd, and I want it to display either in long date form or dd/MM/yyyy. I have already tried the formatDateTime function, but for some reason it wont let me select the date received in the dynamic content - it wont even show up. See below, where I have added compose as the very first step:

I have already tried initialising a string variable that just contains the date output, though this automatically jumps into an 'apply to all' scope for some reason, and then I still cannot select the variable from dynamic content when trying to compose. I can compose within the 'Apply to all' scope, but then again still cannot use the output when selecting from dynamic content in the populate word doc action.

(note the file path output is unrelated)

Any ideas on how I can convert this date value to appear in dd/MM/yyyy format in my word doc??

Categories:

Building flows

I have the same question (0)

All responses (5)

Answers (0)

creativeopinion

10,502 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

Like (0)

Report

@Elisabeth1 Sometimes when you use an expression, the dynamic content isn't available to select. Take a look at this section of the YT Tutorial I've linked below.

For more flow troubleshooting tips—check out this YT Tutorial: 5 Power Automate Troubleshooting FAQs and Helpful Tips for Creating Better Flows

In this tutorial I cover:

✅ How to troubleshoot a false Condition action result

✅ How to get dynamic content when it isn’t selectable from the list of dynamic content

✅ How to troubleshoot an Apply to Each action that isn’t looping through

✅ How to troubleshoot a skipped Apply to Each action

✅ How to troubleshoot a Filter Query

✅ How to use a SharePoint yes/no column in a Filter Query

✅ How to use Compose actions to troubleshoot a Power Automate flow

✅ How to troubleshoot multiple emails being sent

✅ How to troubleshoot multiple Teams messages being sent

Hope this helps!

If I helped you solve your problem—please mark my post as a solution ✅.
Consider giving me a 👍 if you liked my response! If you're feeling generous— ☕️ Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/acreativeopinion

👉 Watch my tutorials on YouTube
👉 Tips and Tricks on TikTok

Was this reply helpful? Yes No

Elisabeth1 10 on at

Like (0)

Report

thanks for this, though I receive a save error when trying to save the flow:

Flow save failed with code 'InvalidTemplate' and message 'The template validation failed: 'The repetition action(s) 'Apply_to_each_4' referenced by 'inputs' in action 'Compose' are not defined in the template.'.'.

This happens whether I place the compose action inside or outside my flow condition parameter, and also as the very first step.

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
v-yetonggu-msft on at

Like (0)

Report

Hi @Elisabeth1 ,

Could you post a complete screenshot of your flow? And the configuration of all controls.

Best Regards,

Sunshine Gu

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
Elisabeth1 10 on at

Like (1)

Report

Hi @v-yetonggu-msft ,

My flow has over 150 actions when all scopes are expanded, though here is a screenshot of the controls and actions from the trigger to the word document I am populating:

The parallel branch that is cut off just contains a monday.com update.

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
Maria_Kon1994 60 on at

Like (0)

Report
Hi,
I am trying to get UK dates from an excel spreadsheet (data in UK date format) to a Word document through mergefield by using Power automate. However, unsuccessfully, it the word file gets only US date format.

Below is the excel sheet with the UK data format – MM1, MM2 etc = Mergefileds corresponding to dates:

Tried to get in the above excel dates (UK format) in the below column of the Word document with the Mergefields (MM4 etc) BUT they appear in US format & added time besides the efforts and formulas set (check below)

The formulas used to convert date are below

Any ideas on how I can convert this date value to appear in dd/MM/yyyy format in my word doc?? OR Ideally, we want to get the date value to appear in this UK format: Mon 18 Mar

Was this reply helpful? Yes No