File Sharing Problems

How to Automatically Download JPEG Files from a Microsoft List

Huma Ashraf Ch Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs a method to automatically download the actual JPEG image files attached to a Microsoft List, rather than just exporting the filenames or URLs.

How to Automatically Download JPEG Files from a Microsoft List

Product: Microsoft Lists, Power Automate
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Exporting list records and their associated image attachments for local storage or further processing.
Observed behavior: Standard export options to PDF or Excel only provide the names or web links of the JPEG attachments, omitting the physical image files entirely.

Before you start

Ensure you have active access to Microsoft Power Automate and the appropriate permissions to both read from the target Microsoft List and write to your destination storage folder (such as OneDrive or SharePoint).

Solution 1Recommended

Create a Power Automate Flow to Extract and Save Attachments

Build an automated workflow that systematically iterates through Microsoft List items to retrieve and download the physical JPEG files to a specified folder.

Because the default export function only captures metadata, Power Automate is required to interface with the list's backend. The flow will extract the file contents of each attachment and generate a new file in your preferred storage location, effectively downloading the images.

Initialize a New Flow

Log into Microsoft Power Automate, click 'Create' on the left sidebar, and select 'Instant cloud flow' or 'Automated cloud flow' depending on how you want to trigger the download.

Get List Items

Add the 'Get items' action from the SharePoint connector. Select the appropriate Site Address and the specific Microsoft List name from the dropdown menus.

Retrieve Attachments

Add an 'Apply to each' loop to process the retrieved list items. Inside this loop, insert the 'Get attachments' action using the dynamic Item ID, followed by the 'Get attachment content' action to pull the actual binary JPEG data.

Save the JPEG File

Add a 'Create file' action for your storage provider (e.g., OneDrive for Business or SharePoint). Configure the Folder Path, set the File Name using the attachment's Display Name, and map the File Content field to the output from the previous step.

Create a Power Automate Flow to Extract and Save Attachments

Community Help: For complex flow designs, looping conditions, or troubleshooting specific connection errors, it is highly recommended to consult the official Microsoft Power Automate Community forums.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Manage Your Exported Data Effortlessly with WPS Office

While extracting image attachments requires automated workflows, analyzing and organizing your exported Microsoft List data is completely seamless with WPS Office. As a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office, WPS makes handling your spreadsheets and documents effortless.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for your operating system.
2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded setup file and follow the straightforward on-screen prompts to complete the installation.
3. Open Exported Files: Launch WPS Office and directly open your exported Microsoft List Excel or PDF files to seamlessly view, edit, and format your data.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx), Word (.docx), and PowerPoint (.pptx) formats.Lightweight architecture guarantees fast installation and smooth data processing.Familiar and intuitive user interface ensures a seamless, zero-learning-curve migration.Comprehensive built-in tools for organizing and analyzing your exported list data.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my exported Excel files only show JPEG links instead of actual images?

Microsoft Lists natively exports data as plain text. Attachments are treated as external metadata, meaning the export engine only retrieves their filenames or URLs rather than fetching and embedding the actual binary file content into the spreadsheet.

Can I save the downloaded attachments to Google Drive instead of OneDrive?

Yes. Power Automate supports a wide variety of third-party connectors. Instead of using the OneDrive 'Create file' action at the end of your flow, you can add the Google Drive 'Create file' action and authenticate your account to save the JPEGs there.

Does downloading attachments with Power Automate require a premium license?

Standard actions involving Microsoft Lists (via the SharePoint connector) and OneDrive or SharePoint storage are generally included in most Microsoft 365 business plans and do not require a standalone premium Power Automate license.

Document & File Issues