Fix Power Automate Get Files Not Returning Nested SharePoint Items
Question details
A Power Automate workflow using the SharePoint connector retrieves top-level folders but fails to return any files located inside nested folders.
- Product
- Power Automate
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Automating document retrieval across a SharePoint document library where files are organized into multiple subfolders.
- Observed behavior
- When the 'Include Nested Items' option is disabled, the flow correctly counts top-level folders (e.g., 56). When enabled, it unexpectedly returns 0 items instead of the nested files.
Ensure you have the correct SharePoint site URL, the exact library name, and sufficient site collection privileges to access all nested subfolders without permission blocks.
Use a Compose Action to Debug and Verify Connector Configuration
Validate the actual array output of the 'Get files' action to verify if the query scope is restricted to the top-level folder.
The most effective way to troubleshoot missing nested items is to systematically count the exact array output while toggling the action's built-in settings. Often, the action context is restricted by an incorrect folder path or blocked by broken permission inheritance deeper in the SharePoint library.
Insert a 'Compose' action immediately after your 'Get files (properties only)' action within the flow.
In the Compose input field, type the expression length(outputs('Get_files_')?['body/value']) to count the exact number of items being returned.
Run a test with 'Include Nested Items' set to 'Yes', and then run another test with it set to 'No'. Compare the retrieved results.
If the nested output remains 0, double-check the 'Library Name' and the 'Limit Entries to Folder' fields. Ensure your connection account has explicit read access to the nested subfolders, as unique permissions can hide items from the flow.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Power Automate return 0 nested items in SharePoint?
This commonly occurs if the 'Limit Entries to Folder' path is incorrect, subfolder permissions are restricted for the account running the flow, or SharePoint view limitations prevent the API from fetching deeper items.
How can I retrieve only files and skip folders in Power Automate?
You can use an OData Filter Query in the 'Get files (properties only)' action. Enter 'FSObjType eq 0' in the Filter Query field to ensure only files are returned, filtering out all folder objects.
Are there limits to how many nested items the Get Files action can retrieve?
Yes, the default pagination limit is 100 items. If your nested folders contain more files, you must enable Pagination in the action's Settings and increase the threshold up to 100,000 to retrieve all nested items.
