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Handling Locked M365 Files in Power Automate
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Power Automate
Jul 5, 2023 11:00 PM

Handling Locked M365 Files in Power Automate

by HubSite 365 about Lindsay T. Shelton [MVP]

Application Programmer at Stowers Institute for Medical Research | Microsoft MVP in Business Applications | Microsoft Certified Trainer | Master of Science - MS at Emporia State University

Citizen DeveloperPower AutomateLearning Selection

Sometimes, late at night, I awaken, covered in sweat, fresh from another nightmare about Power Automate flows that interact with SharePoint document libraries.

Handling Locked M365 Files in Power Automate can sometimes become a challenge especially when interacting with SharePoint document libraries. It becomes even more complicated when changes are innocently made to that document library while another person has the file open.

The result is the resultant freak out of both Power Automate and SharePoint nothing can be accomplished until that document is cleared. The situation often leads to a setting of nightmares especially when these issues occur late in at night.

  • Challenges with handling locked M365 files in Power Automate are common.
  • These Challenges are amplified when interacting with SharePoint document libraries.
  • The difficulties are further escalated when changes are made to a document that someone else has open.
  • This can cause both Power Automate and SharePoint to 'freak out'.
  • These issues can often cause stress and worry, particularly when they occur late at night.

The Challenges of Handling Locked Files in Power Automate and SharePoint

The main issue that users face when dealing withLocked M365 Files in in Power Automate happens when another person opens the document. Power Automate and SharePoint do not process the changes due to this and may lead to unintentional stoppage of work.

Often, this causes a lot of frustration and stress among teams, especially when this happens late at night. It is crucial to always check if the document is open by another before making any changes to avoid such issues.

Read the full article Handling Locked M365 Files in Power Automate

Learn about Handling Locked M365 Files in Power Automate

When working with Power Automate flows and SharePoint document libraries, it is important to be aware of potential issues that can arise when editing files. If someone already has a file open, it can cause problems, as both Power Automate and SharePoint may be unable to make changes until the file is closed. To avoid this issue, it is important to understand how to properly handle locked files in Power Automate. This includes knowing how to identify a locked file, how to prevent a file from being locked, and how to unlock a file if it is already locked.

When a file is locked, it means that another user has the file open and is currently making changes to it. This can be identified by checking the document library in SharePoint, as it will show which user has the file open. It is also important to be aware of any potential timeouts which may occur if the file is left open for too long. If this happens, the file will automatically be locked and the user will need to close it in order to make changes.

To prevent a file from being locked, it is best to use a process that limits the amount of time a user can have the file open. This can be done by setting a timer in Power Automate which will close the file after a certain amount of time. Additionally, it is important to ensure that users only have access to the files they need in order to prevent them from locking files they do not need.

If a file is already locked, Power Automate and SharePoint provide several methods for unlocking it. The most common method is to use the Unlock button in SharePoint, which will release the lock and allow users to make changes to the file. Additionally, users can use the Lock Ownership option in Power Automate to take ownership of the file and unlock it. Finally, users can also use the Unlock File action in Power Automate to unlock the file.

By understanding how to properly handle locked files in Power Automate, users can avoid potential issues that can arise when working with SharePoint document libraries. Knowing how to identify, prevent, and unlock locked files can help ensure that the process runs smoothly and that any changes are made successfully.

 

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Keywords

Microsoft Power Automate, SharePoint document library, locked files, Power Automate flows, file open