Forum Discussion
Trigger sharepoint workflow when a column value is modified
I think there may be a way to trick a Flow into recognizing a particular field's change, but it will require some user cooperation.
I propose you create an additional field to contain a copy of your Annualized Benefit's last known value; for any new item, you would have to know to copy the original annualized benefit value here or use a Flow to copy it (this'll make sense in a minute). After that, create a Flow to accomplish the following:
- When item is modified:
- If Annualized Benefit does not equal Annualized Benefit Copy:
- Email users
- Set Annualized Benefit Copy equal to Annualized Benefit
- Else
- Do Nothing
- If Annualized Benefit does not equal Annualized Benefit Copy:
What this Flow does is essentially use a placeholder field (Annualized Benefit Copy) to check if Annualized Benefit has changed. Since Annualized Benefit Copy should be the same value as before Annualized Benefit was changed, this serves as your reference point. After that check is complete and your users are emailed, you then make Annualized Benefit Copy equal to Annualized Benefit, which effectively prevents your Flow from triggering on any other random change that might occur to the item. This requires that our users know to stay away from the Copy field, as any tampering with it will break the purpose of your Flow. Modifying Views and New Item forms should help prevent that from accidentally happening, though.
- Michael BoonieApr 29, 2019Copper Contributor
I was able to use information from https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Using-Flows/Wait-for-field-change-in-Lists/td-p/113864 to do something much like that. I was able to get the current value as well as the previous value, compare them, and take the appropriate action based on the results.