SharePoint Document Issues

How to Use Power Automate to Identify Updated SharePoint Folders

Emma Brown Sep 30, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to set up a Power Automate flow that triggers a notification when files are added to SharePoint subfolders, dynamically identifying the specific address, property, or category folder (such as Rehab or Photos).

How to Use Power Automate to Identify Updated SharePoint Folders

Product: Power Automate
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Automating email notifications for newly uploaded or modified files in nested SharePoint document libraries while ensuring the exact subfolder location is captured.
Observed behavior: The user needs a single automated flow capable of returning the complete folder path to easily identify which specific subfolder received the updated file.

Before you start

Ensure you have active Microsoft 365 credentials with access to Power Automate and the necessary Read/Write permissions for the target SharePoint document library.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the Full Path Dynamic Content Property in Your Flow

Configure a SharePoint trigger and extract the Full Path property to accurately identify the specific subfolder in your automated email notifications.

The 'Full Path' property in Power Automate returns the complete directory string, including the library, root folder, specific subfolders (like Rehab or Photos), and the file name.

By utilizing this dynamic property, a single flow can seamlessly handle notifications for multiple nested locations without the need for creating redundant and complex rules.

Add a SharePoint Trigger

In Power Automate, create an automated cloud flow and select the SharePoint trigger named 'When a file is created or modified (properties only)'.

Configure the Site Address and Library Name

Select your target SharePoint Site Address and Document Library name from the dropdown menus. If you are targeting a specific root folder, specify it in the 'Folder' field.

Add an Email Notification Action

Click 'New step', search for 'Send an email (V2)', and add the Office 365 Outlook email action to your flow.

Insert the Full Path dynamic property

Click inside the body or subject of the email action to open the Dynamic content pane. Search for and select 'Full Path' (or 'Folder path' depending on your exact requirements). This outputs the exact subfolder location.

Save and test the flow

Save your newly created flow and upload a test file into one of your SharePoint subfolders to verify that the generated email notification correctly captures the folder path.

Use the Full Path Dynamic Content Property in Your Flow

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Edit Your Synced SharePoint Documents Seamlessly with WPS Office

While Power Automate manages your SharePoint folder workflows, you need a reliable suite to edit the actual documents. WPS Office is a lightweight, free alternative that offers comprehensive compatibility with Microsoft Office file formats.

1. Download and Install WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website, download the free installer, and complete the quick installation process on your device.
2. Open Your SharePoint Documents: Sync your SharePoint library to your local PC using OneDrive, then open your .docx, .xlsx, or .pptx files directly with WPS Office.
3. Edit and Save Seamlessly: Edit your documents utilizing WPS Office's rich formatting tools. Hit save, and your changes will automatically sync back to your SharePoint subfolders.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint file formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx) stored in SharePoint.Lightweight and fast, ensuring quick edits for files synced locally via OneDrive or SharePoint.Free to use with a familiar tabbed user interface for easy transition.Built-in PDF editing tools for managing professional reports and scanned documents.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I filter the Power Automate trigger to run only for a specific subfolder like 'Photos'?

Yes. In the SharePoint trigger settings, you can click on the folder icon under the 'Folder' or 'Limit to folder' field to specify the exact subfolder path. Alternatively, you can use Trigger Conditions in the settings to make the flow run only if the folder path contains the word 'Photos'.

Why is the 'Full Path' property missing in my dynamic content pane?

Ensure you are using the 'When a file is created or modified (properties only)' trigger. If you use the standard file creation trigger, some metadata properties might not be available. You can also add the 'Get file properties' action to retrieve missing metadata.

Will this flow work for files uploaded through Microsoft Teams?

Yes. Microsoft Teams uses SharePoint as its backend document storage. Files uploaded to a Teams channel are saved in the corresponding connected SharePoint folder, so the Power Automate trigger will fire and identify the path normally.

Document & File Issues