Google sheets connector’s “row id” in Power Automate

By | November 11, 2020

If you ever wanted to use Google sheets in Power Automate, there is a connector for that:

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However, it turned out to be a little tricky, and this is what this post is about.

Imagine there is a very simple spreadsheet:

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What if I wanted to read a specific row from that spreadsheet in the Power Automate flow?

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I can pick the file, I can also pick the worksheet… but what is supposed to go into the Row Id parameters?

Well, what if I put “1” into that field:

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As soon as that happens, a new column gets added to my spreadsheet automatically:

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Apparently, this column is where google sheets connector will try to find a match on the row id.

The column title is “__PowerAppsId__”. If I had that column in the spreadsheet, it would not be added one again – google sheets connector would just start using that column for the Get Row action.

So, now, I just need to fill that row with the correct ids (and I can use a formula for that):

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And voila:

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3 thoughts on “Google sheets connector’s “row id” in Power Automate

  1. PAUL WINER

    I”m back. I’ve never used this idea but have used “Get Rows” and “Get Row” google sheets connectors in the attempt to fetch data. I never fully succeeded. I have succeeded in using the “Insert Row” step.

    In each of those steps the connected adds the “__PowerAppsId__”. However it also fills the row with data. Here’s a few rows of it. I’m wondering what it is for then? Do you think I can replace it with my own key per your suggestion and not cause any problems?

    __PowerAppsId__
    7d25fe7a58d247628cb7d497ede3f41a
    66a4d6b13c5c4b70aa4de424980cd0ef
    8b8b3e3f366b45dfb2206641bcf6aab3
    3eff106a63e34cde8ecc0e691e74f37f
    29215faf2f9749e4a73d8db49bdbc5c5
    3013c8eb996f42a49acffa00ae0c7008
    ce504b7c80924d7d8ffd8a662337939c
    1e99c4ff842d4296892747f408721851
    1631f5c9b7d645e39ca9b82cb801fb0c
    2a90420cd46a4d8faa4a4c814544083d
    24978b5eacf046fc80d10408792ff5b5
    477cd531087b4f94ac5faa9762784cf8
    054fb16944154dd380c5acf6a88a6614
    1857f44a6f7541518ff3002e5477b2d5
    f8b3b1a4182849e18ddaf5fabb70227d

    Reply
  2. Paul Winer

    I’ve successfully changed __PowerAppsId__ columns in google sheet that power automate has already filled. No problems occur. In fact I replaced their default values (those long key-like strings) with formulas as you suggested.

    Question regarding your comment “So, now, I just need to fill that row with the correct ids (and I can use a formula for that):”

    If we use a formula then clearly that formula needs to be added to any new rows. If I used power automate’s “Insert Row” step then how do assure that the new row added includes the formula? Would I immediately follow with an “Update Row”? If so I’d need a “Row id”. Hmm. Feels like a catch-22.

    Thoughts?

    Reply

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