power-automatesharepoint-list

How do we insert an array with multiple values into a sharepoint choice column that allows multiple selections?


We have sharepoint list with a column having a choice type. It also allows multiple selections.

How do we insert from Power Automate an array, with multiple values, into this sharepoint column?


Solution

  • Summary

    There are two ways to insert multiple values from a single element into a sharepoint list column:

    1. Sharepoint list column has “Choice” type. Then in Power Automate use a Select action where the value side of the mapping is the expression item().
    2. Sharepoint list column has “Single line of text”. Then in Power Automate insert the JSON parsed field directly, rather than have to go via a select.

    Sharepoint Choice column with Power Automate Select

    Sharepoint List

    Power Automate Flow

    Sharepoint “Single line of text” with JSON parse field directly inserted

    If, in the Sharepoint List, one chooses a column type of "Single line of text", rather than "Choice", then you can insert multiple selects straight into the column as an array of strings.(LocalLandServicesAffected is a "Single line of text"). ...

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     ... and this simplifies the flow in that you can just insert the JSON parsed field directly, rather than have to go via a select ...

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    However, there might be consequences, between the two design patterns (List "Single line of text" V "Choice"), in terms of reporting (e.g. Using PowerBI from the List). I suspect going with Choice is the more robust path. But that might create, in principle, a much higher maintenance burden (one could otherwise just change input element choices with with nothing else to do).