In
the previous article Peter
Kalmström, kalmstrom.com CEO and Systems Designer, showed
how a flow works with the SharePoint built-in approval status
column and with a custom column.
In the demo below Peter creates a similar flow on a mobile
device, in this case an Android. He uses a Procedures library
with a custom column for approval status. With a custom
column, he can automate the whole process of sending e-mails
and updating the approval status in the library.
The flow in the demo works well when files are uploaded to the library.
When they are created in SharePoint, we should give the author time to finish the document, by adding a Delay action after the trigger. This is described in detail in the book,
SharePoint Flows from Scratch.
Create an approval flow with the Flow app
Log in to the SharePoint site that has the library
where you want to use the flow and copy the site URL.
Click on the plus icon to start with a blank flow.
Use the SharePoint trigger 'When an item is created'.
Paste or select the site URL and library.
Add an action: Approvals - Start and wait for an approval.
Select the Approval type ‘the first to respond’.
Add the dynamic property 'Name' at 'Title' and type
the e-mail address of the approver. Also add the dynamic
property 'Link to item'.
Add a condition: if the dynamic content for ‘Responses approver response’ is equal to 'Approve'.
Under 'If yes', add the action 'SharePoint - update
file properties' and select the site URL and library again.
Select the dynamic property ID. At
Approval value, select 'Approved'.
Under 'If no', add the same action 'SharePoint - update
file properties' and select 'Rejected' at Approval value'.
In
