Avoid infinite loops with flow trigger conditions in Power Automate 

Hope it was useful :)

Thanks a ton. To be honest, I never get offended by dislikes. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

Glad it was useful. Thanks for watching Loek.

Most welcome!

Glad it helped!

@@RezaDorrani How would I edit the formula you have in this video to not run the flow if the last modified value was equal to the service account AND when a certain SharePoint column is NOT blank?

Glad it helped

Agreed with the new rules part. But those are for simple scenarios. Flow will always be the answer to more complex scenarios.

My pleasure!

You're so welcome!

Thank you for watching

Most welcome

Thank you for your kind words

Not sure about doc library as I may not have tried it. I will recommend posting your issue with screenshots on the forums at powerusers.microsoft.com

Yes - based upon docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform/admin/api-request-limits-allocations

Throttling can occur due to various reasons. Depends upon number of actions running, loops etc.

Hi Jaina, You can use expressions to check if field is empty and accordingly define your trigger condition. To learn about flow expressions - aka.ms/learnexpressions

To keep track of how many attachments got updated you would need to check the version history of the list item and compare the attachment count. This cannot be done in the flow trigger. You would have to implement this within the flow action.

I have not tried with SP Batch API so not sure. Give it a try and test.

There is an issue with your expression. Not sure what you mean by first hour. I will recommend you post your query with screenshots to the community forum - powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/General-Power-Automate/bd-p/MPAForum

You would have to set some kind of flag to avoid re-triggering of the flow like the one shown as part of this video. Once the flow runs, set a hidden column (flag) value and add that to the trigger condition.

Thank you

Yes can be done in either the trigger condition itself or after the flow gets triggered. What does certain selection or a word mean? I am assuming whether a column contains a value. You can use expressions to do so.

Something like @or(condition1, condition2)

I do not have a video reference on this scenario and would have to try it out to provide guidance. I would recommend posting your issue/query with screenshots on the forums at powerusers.microsoft.com

I believe they would not be counted. Actions start getting counted once flow runs.

Welcome! Should work with that column type as well. Code would not be the same. I don’t have a specific video reference on it though. I recommend checking or posting your query on forums in case someone has done something similar powerusers.microsoft.com

@@RezaDorrani i will, thank you :)

Your case will not work with a trigger condition. You can use a scheduled flow that runs on a daily basis. In that flow query your data source to get all items where the end date has arrived. Todays date >= end date. For each of those items, send an email. Give the abive a try and if you need more help then try posting your question on the community forum. powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/General-Power-Automate/bd-p/MPAForum

@@RezaDorrani thank you for the direction

Thank you Nilesh. Glad it was helpful.

@@RezaDorrani please let me know more information regarding flow and power apps so I will improve my skills. Is it any development article or course please suggest. Thank you.

Nilesh Birari check aka.ms/powerplatformresources

You can trigger flow when assigned field is updated. On item updated trigger. Not sure I understood your question clearly though.

Why do you want flow to trigger first time and wait? Why not trigger flow on item created and modified both. Flow trigger cannot track changes.

@@RezaDorrani Well regret if im unable to put the constraint here. 1. Flow to send mails only for changes in column "Status" only. No other column updates should trigger mails. Used "Has changed.." action to meet this req. But this will not trigger mail for default "open" status as it expects it to change to "closed" Now only way to address this is to use 2 different flows "When item created" and "When item updated"

@@veerpat5331 That would probably be the way I guess

Technique is to use trigger conditions and set that flag. It does not matter which type column you use. As for your issue, I will have to look at your flow in action to provide guidance. I would recommend posting your issue/query with screenshots on the forums at powerusers.microsoft.com

I have not tried that scenario. I don't think it would be a trigger condition. It would be more like a scheduled job that runs on a schedule and checks files in drives and then sends email. I would recommend you post your issue/query with screenshots on the forums at powerusers.microsoft.com

As long as the column is part of the data card, even if it is not visible it will trigger the flow.

I would have to try it out to provide guidance. I recommend checking on the forums at powerusers.microsoft.com/ in case someone has done something similar.

Your most welcome

I would have to look at your App in action to know the exact cause of the issue. I would recommend to post your issue with screenshots on the forums at powerusers.microsoft.com

Did not encounter a scenario like this. Check to see if your flow is running multiple times or are there other flows that are getting called?

@@RezaDorrani , hey you were right. There was another flow running which has now been switched and this new one runs exactly as I need it to. Thank you

For that I would have to look at your flow in action and debug it step by step. I would recommend you post your issue/query with screenshots on the forums at powerusers.microsoft.com

Hi Betty, It won't run into infinite loop condition because I do add another trigger condition in there to handle it. I check to see if the runworkflow field is set to true

Timestamp 14:27 was the solution for my scenario with mutiple flows, running if "item is modified" - thank you SO MUCH! 🎉@@RezaDorrani

It would not work in that case. You would want your users to modify the metadata via a defined process inorder to ensure that flag is set everytime.

I would have to look at your scenario / flow in action to provide any guidance. I would recommend you post your issue/query with screenshots on the forums at powerusers.microsoft.com

I have not come across the issue you mentioned hence not sure the reason why it is happening in your case. I recommend posting your issue with screenshots on the forums at powerusers.microsoft.com

Method would be same. Check my flow approval video series - ru-vid.com/group/PLTyFh-qDKAiFUGTtwSwFT79Y7_jq_Aipe

The warning will always be there. As long as you are handling it in flow, you should be good.

This was done a long while ago so do not remember. I will recommend checking on the forums at powerusers.microsoft.com/ in case someone has done something similar.

I am assuming by re-route you mean retrigger. In that case you would have to check wether any of those users have not modified item in trigger condition. May be a long query depending on how many users.

Api calls are counted against both power apps and flow for a 24 hr period. So the answer is yes - it does consume calls. Custom connector does require a premium license and calling the connector is also an api call

I have no idea. I will recommend posting your issue with screenshots on the forums at powerusers.microsoft.com

If Power Apps is calling flow, then flow will run under context of user running the App. Power Apps can never use a service account. Because App always runs in context of logged in user.

@@RezaDorrani thank you. This means I can use your first scenario. Thank you 😊

Thanks

@@RezaDorrani It's me who should be thankful, I've borrowed your knowledge more than a handful of times. Thanks you, Reza :)

I cannot guess the issue here on chat. Best to post your issue with screenshots on the forums at powerusers.microsoft.com

@@RezaDorrani, thank you for the response. I managed to get it working. What I noticed from a test run was that email was returning Nil but the modify claims indicated the service account so from the logs I copied the modify claims output and added that to my trigger

Data can be created by user accounts (could also be test accounts). The workflow service account is the one running the flow.

I will need to look at your app in action to know the reason why it’s not working for you. I would recommend posting your issue with screenshots on the forums at powerusers.microsoft.com

Not sure what your exact use case is. You can trigger flow when item/file is created or use some form of flag logic as shown in video.

I am trying to create a trigger an email through power automate basis the date updated in MA forms

If using Microsoft Forms, then you cannot use trigger conditions since you would need the details of the form which is not available in the trigger. If using any ohter data source, if the trigger has the date then you can plug in your trigger condition for date. You would need some help with expressions. aka.ms/learnexpressions

@@RezaDorrani thank you. I will check the expressions videos that you have shared. Thank you once again for your videos

May be it has to do with the security. The flow Owner must have Full Control access on SP list in order to get data for all items.

@@RezaDorrani that actually worked, thanks! But then because it's a content approval document library it sets back the approval status to 'Draft' and the user has to submit for approval again. It's still causing a loop.

@@Firebus1122 You will need to handle infinite loop. I have a video on that.

When you are updating the item, you should set the runtheworkflow column value to No.

@@RezaDorrani hi again..... in the Update item piece of the Flow, is it as simple as putting "No" for the runtheflow column? Because i tried that and the error is still there. I sent you an email to your outlook email.

@@chrisnorris1556 Ensure you have the trigger condition in place.

Calculated columns do not work well with flows. You would need to build your calculation logic in the flow itself. A service account is just a regular user account.

@@RezaDorrani thank you!! Will try to do that

@@RezaDorrani hi again! Tried again with a Date field (normal date field) but when I change the date, it doesnt show me the "yes" result, stays as "no" for the datacard, it only accepts ".Default", otherwise, brings back error. For dates it works differently??

@@Fernanda-uh7iz I am confused. Video is on flow. Where did datacards come in flow?

​@@Fernanda-uh7iz Its tough to provide guidance here in chat without looking at code and app. I will recommend you post your query with screenshots on the forums at powerusers.microsoft.com/

I will have to look at your flow in action to provide guidance. I would recommend posting your issue/query with screenshots on the forums at powerusers.microsoft.com

Thanks for watching. Help me understand your request. So a list in SharePoint, when a column value changes (start day or end day), then create or update outlook calendar events. So basically, drive calendar events from a SharePoint list?

@@RezaDorrani Hi, thank you for checking - yes, sort of - I know how to create calendar entries from a "when a new item is created" (in SP List, that one is fairly simple, same goes for deleting, when an item is deleted, it could of course also work with a recurrent flow). Unfortunately, creating (and conclusively, updating the corresponding calendar event) when -and ONLY then- the specific field in a column in an already existing item (record/row) in an SP List (field can be empty up to then) is entered/updated (with the "when an item is created or modified" trigger), but limiting the trigger condition, (when the value in the column gets added or changed) - is the tricky part. I found various approaches to this, but nothing really worked so far. Ideally combine with "send a notification about added event/changed event (not an invite, just the info, could also be a "post to channel")" action. By studying and watching a lot over the last weeks, I think I am close to a solution, but not very confident.

@@kayfax672 I will add this to my backlog

@@RezaDorrani I can imagine this is quite long;-) btw - if you were to consider running a patreon account to share certain info with subscribers /paying patrons there - I'd subscribe/pay immediately!

@@kayfax672 I have been thinking about Patreon and/or RU-vid subscription based content and/or some live classes on weekends. May be I run a poll on in the community tab and see how much interest is there. What say?

When flow triggers you can store the modified by in a variable prior to updating the list item. That ways when you send the email, you can use the original modified by user name.

@@RezaDorrani Yes Reja, I did the same, But it was taking my name (flow owner) always, as I was triggering the flow. Now I got tested by other users, Modified By is coming up properly. Thank you.

it did run or it did not run into infinite loop?

@@RezaDorrani it did not run. Do you think I am missing something?

@@vinayayinapurapu What is your trigger action? And are you updating the same item on which the flow is being triggered?

Automated flows always run under the context of its connectors. So the email will be sent from the account configured in flow. You cannot send email from account of person who created the item in this scenario.

@ Reza, Thank you for the clarification.

Hi Alex. I am not sure about MS Access. I don't think that's possible with MS Access

@@RezaDorrani Thank you. I will try it out. One more question about power automate license. Do I need an extra license if I had already M365 E3 to use the premium connector?

@@thecoreYalex Yes. All premium connectors needs premium licensing.

@not(equals(triggerOutputs()?['body/AssignmentLeader/Email'], current or previous email]))

You cannot write trigger conditions on preview value since trigger action will not have that info. You would need to set a flag (as shown in video to avoid infinite loop trick) when manager is changed in list.

You cannot write trigger conditions on preview value since trigger action will not have that info. You would need to set a flag (as shown in video to avoid infinite loop trick) when manager is changed in list.

@@RezaDorrani Thank you for the response. Is there a way to setup a flag without using PowerApps?

@@davidregis2693 Goal is to set a flag (column) when a specific column is changed. Power Apps or SPFx would be the 2 options I can think of.

I will have to look at your flow in action to provide guidance. I would recommend posting your issue/query with screenshots on the forums at powerusers.microsoft.com

@@RezaDorrani Hi Reza, thanks for reply. I have gave up this solution but changed my flow structure to stop infinite loop. My solution is to create "switch-Restart Flow" Yes or No, and then in the Yes branch, create "switch-Status" Pending First Approval, Pending Second Approval. All no branches have been set to terminate.

I mean any account in Azure AD that can act like a service account. A dedicated account for the flow.

I did not understand your scenario. Idea is to change that flag so flow does not retrigger. ideas.powerautomate.com/d365community/forum/086dd68e-597f-ec11-8d21-0022482e8f9f is the best place to post for ideas (Example: Terminate Function)

@@RezaDorrani Yes, understood, in my case I have three fields that may be changed and monitored AND they're all drop downs. I'll try your method on one and will try another using conditions to see if the field value is equal to fieldtxt. Sidenote: I had to create a bunch of text fields based on their values since MSFT didn't see fit to provide the functionality of creating lookups on those fields.

@@carlw Give that a try. Best place to give Microsoft feedback is the ideas board.

@@RezaDorrani Tx. LOL don't worry, I have many many times, to no satisfaction. However, in fact my idea did work 👍🏻until, "miraculously" it decided to hang. Seems a little html table was just far to complex for it. I don't mean to sound negative and cynical but in reality, would you want their.......software to be used on jet fighter aircraft?? Ya, probably not. Overdone bloatware always completed to maybe 75% of required scope.

​@@carlw Ideas that are highly voted for are worked upon. I am not in favor or against anyone, but I have seen ideas becoming a reality. Forums is another great place to post issues/queries. I am someone who has gained a lot from the forums, from asking for help to helping others, forums have helped shape my career and the community team behind it works really hard.

The subject itself is the trigger condition for that action. Not sure what you mean by call APIs?

@@RezaDorrani Ah because you said in the video it will keep on running(race condition?). So if I put the subject like contain expression in the "When a new email arrives in a shared mailbox (V2)" that's ok already? Or should I go to setting and paste the trigger condition like what you did here.

@@aqpogi Race condition I said was for SharePoint list where trigger is also based on it. That cannot be true for emails.

@@RezaDorrani Thanks for quick response!

Check your flow trigger. I would recommend to post your issue with screenshots here for further assistance - powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/General-Power-Automate/bd-p/MPAForum

Update: The expression will work if I substitute the ThisItem.CurrentLocation.Value with another selected value from a different column like this: If(SharePointForm1.DisplayMode=DisplayMode.Edit && DataCardValue14.Selected.Value DataCardValue8.Selected.Value ,"yes","no"). But my goal it to track when a specific status changes, as you discuss in the video, so the expression needs to compare the two states (before and after change) of the same column.

I have not experienced the mentioned issue and hence not sure what the cause for it could be. I will recommend posting your issue on forums in case someone has experienced something similar powerusers.microsoft.com

@@RezaDorrani While I am sad there isn't an obvious fix, appreciate you actually responding. I have never used the forums before, but I will try. Thank you for making such helpful content.

Update: For any of those interested, the forum help I got suggested this expression: If(SharePointForm1.DisplayMode = DisplayMode.Edit && DataCardValue14.Selected.Value in ThisItem.'Current Location'.Value ,"no","yes"). The key difference being "in" vs . I am not positive why this is better for me, but it seems to be working so far--Thank goodness!

I will have to look at your flow in action to provide guidance. I would recommend posting your issue/query with screenshots on the forums at powerusers.microsoft.com

For infinite loop - @not(equals(triggerBody()?['Editor']?['Email'],'email address')) For SharePoint column is updated - @equals(triggerBody()?['runtheflow'],'yes')

I recommend posting your issue on forums at powerusers.microsoft.com

I post here. Can you please see? I appreciate it..

There is no return to step in flow. However, you can design do until loops & exit conditions. Your scenario is possible but I would have to try it out. I would recommend you post your issue/query with screenshots on the forums at powerusers.microsoft.com

@@RezaDorrani Thanks for help me.

Hi Mark, I understand the challenges in flow when comparing with SPD. Its important to know that flow is designed to work with any data source. SPD is SharePoint only. They are 2 completely different services. It will be a learning curve and hopefully my channel has some decent content to simplify the learning experience.

@@RezaDorrani thank you Rena for your reply. I will continue. Good work sir

Firstly thanks for watching. Your expression begins and ends with single quotes- you do not need that Also ensure your expression starts with @ symbol when adding it to the trigger condition

@@RezaDorrani Thanks Reza, that worked great - Thanks again!

@@RezaDorrani Hi Reza, I changed my email to the Admin owner email as below: @not(equals(triggerBody()?['Editor']?['Email'],'svco365spadmin@american.edu')) and I received this message: The power flow's logic app flow template was invalid. The template condition expression '@not(equals(triggerBody()?['Editor']?['Email'],'svco365spadmin@american.edu'))' at line '1' and column '103379' is not valid template language expression. Is the additional single codes caused by this problem? Best Regards! myle

@Reza Dorrani After reloading the flow, the first solution is working nicely. BIG KUDOS!!!

@@myleluong8488 Great

Key is to have that flag reset in order for the infinite loop to be avoided and hence the power app form helps. You could use a different approach wherein you set a date and time field to today's date and time. Then if flow is retriggered, you can compare the temp data and time column value with the item modified date and time and accordingly decide whether to trigger the flow.

I will recommend you check on the forums at powerusers.microsoft.com/

Already been to these links and breaking my head on making a json script work no luck yet

@@kaushikkundu3740 forums will be your best bet or you may need to get someone to come on a teams call and help.

Have u ever tried this ?

@@kaushikkundu3740 No

My workflow will not run with @equals(triggerOutputs()?['body/RunTheFlow'],'yes')

May be the schema changed (should not be the case though). User triggerBody in that case and try out

Use triggerBody

@@RezaDorrani Made a new workflow and used "triggerBody" and I received an error. "The power flow's logic app flow template was invalid. The template condition expression 'equals(triggerBody()?['RunTheFlow'],'yes')' at line '1' and column '1677' is not valid template language expression."

Forgot to add the @ at the begining but the workflow doesnt trigger. Investigating now. Really appreciate the help. Your instructions were great but something else is going on, on my end, thats causing an issue.

What’s the issue?

@@RezaDorrani So I want to set up reminder workflows, I have the "when item is modified" as an automated workflow. Problem is when the item changes it starts another workflow which is fine, but it wont terminate the previous workflow. Essentially the logic is Document Name: excel approve Assigned To: Jake Man Workflow will begin and send reminder emails every 15 minutes up to an hour and then after that once a day( which is done). I want the flow to terminate when its no longer assigned to Jake Man. The thing is, it starts another workflow and that is terminated because it is not that person, but the previous flow is still running, going through an infinite loop and sending emails even though it is no longer assigned to that person anymore. If i was to put the reminder emails inside the main approval workflow, the problem would be the delay. I cant cancel the delay action even when the variable has been changed. So you would only get reminder emails again after a full day and then it would reset to every 15 minutes again. So the best thing I can think of is use an automated workflow which will terminate when it is no longer assigned to that person and still create another workflow checking if it equals it.

@@mrwhammer I have not covered or showcased a scenario like this in any of my videos. I would have to recreate your scenario and then try and figure out a solution. I would recommend posting your query on forums. May be someone has done something similar. powerusers.microsoft.com

Every day is a rainy day :) Never stop learning.

👍

The flow will not trigger for the email id provided in the trigger condition.

And you are welcome too :)

Why do you say so?

I will have to look at your flow in action to provide guidance. I would recommend posting your issue/query with screenshots on the forums at powerusers.microsoft.com