SharePoint Document Issues

How to Use a SharePoint Item ID in Another Column

Nimra Malik Oct 1, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to retrieve a newly created SharePoint list item ID and use it to calculate or populate a value in a different column.

How to Use a SharePoint Item ID in Another Column

Product: SharePoint, Power Automate
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Creating a new item in a SharePoint list and attempting to copy its built-in ID to a custom column automatically.
Observed behavior: SharePoint calculated columns do not reliably access or calculate the built-in ID during the creation of new items.

Before you start

Ensure you have Edit permissions for your SharePoint list and access to Microsoft Power Automate to create and manage automated cloud flows.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Power Automate to Copy the Item ID

Since SharePoint calculated columns cannot reliably evaluate the built-in ID for new items, using an automated Power Automate flow is the recommended way to write the ID to a separate column.

A SharePoint calculated column evaluates its formula at the exact moment an item is created. Because the built-in ID is generated by the database after the initial creation process, the calculated column cannot access it in time. To resolve this limitation, you must use Power Automate to trigger an update immediately after the item and its ID are fully generated.

Create a target column in SharePoint

Open your SharePoint list, click '+ Add column', and select 'Number' or 'Single line of text'. Name it something like 'CustomID' and save it. This will store the copied ID.

Create a new automated cloud flow

Sign in to Power Automate, click 'Create' on the left navigation menu, and select 'Automated cloud flow'. Give your flow a descriptive name.

Set the SharePoint trigger

In the trigger search bar, type 'When an item is created'. Select the SharePoint trigger with that exact name and click 'Create'. Enter your Site Address and select your List Name from the dropdowns.

Add the Update item action

Click 'New step', search for 'Update item', and choose the SharePoint action. Select the same Site Address and List Name you used in the trigger.

Map the ID and save

Click inside the mandatory 'Id' field and select the built-in 'ID' from the dynamic content menu. Next, find your newly created 'CustomID' column in the action card, click inside it, and insert the same 'ID' dynamic content. Click 'Save' to activate your flow.

Test your flow: Return to your SharePoint list and create a new item. Wait a few moments, and refresh the page to see the built-in ID successfully populated in your custom column.

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1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS Office website to download and install the free suite on your PC or mobile device.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't the built-in ID work directly in a SharePoint calculated column?

During the creation of a new list item, the built-in ID has not yet been assigned by the database. Consequently, the calculated column evaluates its formula before the ID physically exists, resulting in a zero or empty value.

Can I use JSON formatting to show the SharePoint item ID in another column?

Yes, you can use JSON column formatting to reference the [$ID] field and display it visually inside another column without using Power Automate. However, this only alters the visual display in the list view; it does not actually store the ID value in the column's underlying data.

Is there any formula to force a calculated column to read the ID?

No, there is no formula, function, or SharePoint list setting that can bypass this timing limitation for newly created items. Using Power Automate or a Power Apps patch is required to reliably copy the ID into a separate, usable field.

Document & File Issues