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Fix Power Automate Returning 0001-01-01 for SharePoint File Dates

Partner Editor Sep 30, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users experience an issue in Power Automate where SharePoint file dates, such as Last Modified, incorrectly display as 0001-01-01T00:00:00 despite returning correct filenames.

Fix Power Automate Returning 0001-01-01 for SharePoint File Dates

Product: Power Automate, SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Creating or running a Power Automate flow to retrieve metadata from SharePoint files for reporting or sync purposes.
Observed behavior: The 'Last Modified' date property returns the placeholder default value 0001-01-01T00:00:00 instead of the actual file modification date.

Before you start

Ensure your Power Automate connection to SharePoint is active and that your account has the appropriate read permissions for the target document library.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify SharePoint File Metadata Mapping in the Flow

The 0001-01-01 date error typically occurs when the flow references an uninitialized variable or incorrectly maps dynamic content.

In Power Automate, 0001-01-01T00:00:00 represents a default, empty DateTime value. This means the flow is failing to capture the actual date from SharePoint. Correcting the dynamic content mapping usually resolves this issue.

Open flow in edit mode

Log into Power Automate, locate the affected flow under 'My flows', and click 'Edit' to open the flow configuration.

Locate the date action

Navigate to the specific action block where you are extracting or utilizing the 'Last Modified' date.

Remove incorrect variables

Delete the current date variable or dynamic content block that is yielding the 0001-01-01 result.

Re-map dynamic content

Click 'Add dynamic content' and explicitly select the 'Last Modified' property that is output directly by your preceding 'Get files (properties only)' or 'Get file metadata' SharePoint action.

Save and test

Click 'Save' at the top right, then run a manual test to verify that the flow now accurately retrieves the real modified date.

Verify SharePoint File Metadata Mapping in the Flow

Correct Action selection: Ensure you are using 'Get files (properties only)' to reliably access standard and custom SharePoint metadata fields.

Solution 2

Seek Troubleshooting Help in the Community

If the metadata mapping is correct but the flow continues to return default dates, community experts can help identify underlying configuration flaws.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does the date 0001-01-01 mean in Power Automate?

In Power Automate, 0001-01-01T00:00:00 is the absolute minimum DateTime value. It acts as a default placeholder when a date variable is uninitialized or when the flow fails to read a valid date from a source like SharePoint.

Can SharePoint actually return a blank 'Last Modified' date?

No. SharePoint system fields like 'Created' or 'Last Modified' are never blank. If your flow sees them as blank or default (0001-01-01), the issue lies within the flow's extraction, dynamic content mapping, or variable initialization.

Which SharePoint action is best for retrieving reliable file dates?

Using the 'Get file properties' or 'Get files (properties only)' action is recommended. These actions are designed to fetch all custom and system metadata reliably, including valid modification and creation dates.

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