Others

Fix Power Automate Errors Updating SharePoint with Blank Excel Dates

WPS Content Manager Oct 9, 2026 871 views

Question details

The user needs to successfully update a SharePoint list via a Power Automate flow without encountering errors when the source Excel table contains blank date values.

How to Fix Power Automate Errors Updating SharePoint with Blank Excel Dates

Product: Power Automate
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Running a Power Automate flow to update a SharePoint list using data extracted from an Excel table.
Observed behavior: The flow fails to save or throws an error when it encounters a null or blank date field in Excel. Using a placeholder date like January 1, 1900 works, but blank values cause the flow to break.

Before you start

Check your SharePoint list settings to ensure the target date column is not marked as a required field. Additionally, verify that your Excel data is properly formatted as a Table so Power Automate can retrieve the rows correctly.

Solution 1Recommended

Use an Expression in Power Automate to Handle Null Values

Use this solution to dynamically check if the Excel date field is empty and pass a true null value to SharePoint, avoiding formatting errors.

Power Automate often interprets empty Excel cells as empty strings rather than true null values. SharePoint date columns reject empty strings but will accept nulls (if the column is optional). Using an inline expression resolves this conflict.

Edit your Power Automate Flow

Open your flow in the Power Automate editor and navigate to your 'Update item' or 'Create item' SharePoint action.

Access the Expression Editor

Click inside the target Date field in the SharePoint action. In the dynamic content pop-up, switch to the 'Expression' tab.

Enter the IF/EMPTY Expression

Type the expression: if(empty(item()?['YourExcelDateColumnName']), null, item()?['YourExcelDateColumnName']) and click OK to apply it.

Save and Test

Save your flow and run a manual test to verify that rows with blank dates now update SharePoint without throwing an error.

Use an Expression in Power Automate to Handle Null Values

Column Name Accuracy: Ensure you replace 'YourExcelDateColumnName' exactly with the name of your date column as it appears in the Excel table.

Solution 2

Use a Placeholder Date in the Excel Table

A quick workaround if you prefer not to use complex Power Automate expressions.

Solution 3

Consult the Power Automate Community

Seek expert guidance for highly specific or complex flow behaviors.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Manage Your Spreadsheets Efficiently with WPS Office

While resolving Power Automate and SharePoint integration issues requires specific flow adjustments, preparing and managing your Excel data beforehand shouldn't be complicated. WPS Office offers a powerful, lightweight, and completely free alternative to Microsoft Office. Enjoy a familiar interface and seamless compatibility with all your spreadsheet files.

1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS Office website to download the free installer for Windows, Mac, or Linux.
2. Open Your Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and open your existing .xlsx files directly without any formatting conversion.
3. Edit and Prepare Data: Format your data tables, manage blank cells, and save your work instantly for your automation workflows.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel formats (.xls, .xlsx, .csv) to prevent data loss.Lightweight application that installs quickly and runs smoothly on older devices.Familiar user interface for a zero-learning-curve transition.Free built-in PDF editor and advanced data analysis tools.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Power Automate fail when reading blank Excel dates?

Excel stores dates as sequential numbers. When a date cell is left blank, Power Automate often reads it as an empty string instead of a valid null value. When this empty string is passed to a strict SharePoint date column, SharePoint rejects the format and causes the flow to fail.

How do I force Power Automate to read Excel dates in ISO format?

In your 'List rows present in a table' action, click on 'Show advanced options' and set the 'DateTime format' dropdown to 'ISO 8601'. This ensures dates are retrieved in a standardized format rather than Excel's internal serial numbers.

Can SharePoint date columns accept empty values?

Yes, SharePoint date columns can accept empty (null) values, provided the column settings do not have the 'Require that this column contains information' option checked. However, you must pass a true 'null' value from Power Automate, rather than an empty string.

Office Quick Solutions