OneDrive File Issues

How to Get Notifications When Files Are Added to a Specific OneDrive Folder

Algirdas Jasaitis Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to trigger an automation notification only when files are uploaded to a designated folder or its subfolders, rather than receiving alerts for the entire shared drive.

How to Get Notifications When Files Are Added to a Specific OneDrive Folder

Product: OneDrive for Work / Power Automate
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Setting up targeted file upload notifications for a specific shared folder to monitor team or manager activity.
Observed behavior: The current automation triggers for any file added anywhere in the shared drive, causing unnecessary and overwhelming notifications.

Before you start

Ensure you have access to Microsoft Power Automate and the necessary permissions to view and manage the target OneDrive for Work or SharePoint shared folder.

Solution 1Recommended

Configure Power Automate Flow with a Specific Folder Path

Use Power Automate to restrict file-creation triggers to a designated folder path using built-in trigger settings and conditional logic.

By default, selecting a root drive in Power Automate will trigger notifications for any file uploaded. To fix this, you must specify the exact folder path within the trigger or use a condition to filter out unwanted directories.

Create an automated cloud flow

Log into Microsoft Power Automate, navigate to 'Create', and select 'Automated cloud flow'. Give your flow a name.

Select the correct file-created trigger

Search for and select the 'When a file is created' trigger for OneDrive for Business or SharePoint, depending on where your shared drive is hosted.

Specify the target folder path

In the trigger settings, click the folder icon to browse and select the specific target folder you want to monitor instead of the root directory.

Add a condition for subfolders

If you need to include subfolders while excluding other parent locations, add a 'Condition' step after the trigger. Set it to check if the 'File path' or 'Folder path' dynamic content contains the name of your target folder.

Configure the notification action

In the 'If yes' branch of your condition, add the 'Send an email notification (V3)' action or a Microsoft Teams message action. Save and test your flow by uploading a test file to the target folder.

Configure Power Automate Flow with a Specific Folder Path

Best Practice: Test the flow by uploading files both inside and outside the target folder to verify that notifications are only sent when appropriate.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I exclude specific subfolders from OneDrive notifications?

Yes. By adding a condition in your Power Automate flow, you can set the rule to 'does not contain' the specific subfolder name. This prevents the flow from triggering notifications when files are added to that specific excluded location.

Why is my Power Automate flow triggering for all folders?

If the trigger's folder path is set to the root directory (/) without any conditional filters in the subsequent steps, the flow will automatically trigger for any file uploaded anywhere in the entire drive.

Does this automation method work for SharePoint as well?

Yes, the process is nearly identical. You just need to use the 'When a file is created (properties only)' trigger for SharePoint, select your Site Address, and specify the Library Name and Folder path.

Document & File Issues