How to Automatically Transfer Values Between SharePoint Lists Without Lookup Using Power Automate
Question details
The user wants to copy a field value from one SharePoint list to another automatically when a source item is created or modified, without using a lookup column.
- Product
- Microsoft SharePoint and Power Automate
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- The user manages two corresponding SharePoint lists and wants values to stay synchronized without manually updating the destination list.
- Observed behavior
- A Power Automate flow triggers on the source list, finds the matching item in the destination list, and updates the target field automatically.
Before you start, ensure you can create flows in Power Automate and have edit access to both SharePoint lists. Identify one matching field—such as ID, Title, or a unique key column—that exists in both lists so the flow can reliably update the right item.
Create an automated Power Automate flow to update the destination SharePoint list
Use this solution when you want changes in the source SharePoint list to be reflected in the destination list automatically, without adding a lookup column.
The flow starts when an item is created or modified in the source list, then uses a matching value to find the destination item and updates the desired field.
This method works best when each source item has a stable identifier, such as ID or a unique key column, that also exists in the destination list.
Sign in to make.powerautomate.com, select Create, choose Automated cloud flow, and click Skip to name the flow and select a trigger.
Search for the SharePoint trigger 'When an item is created or modified', then choose the source site address and source list name from the dropdowns.
Add a SharePoint 'Get items' action, select the destination site and list, and enter a Filter query such as Title eq '<source Title>' to return only the matching record.
Add a SharePoint 'Update item' action, set the Id to the destination item ID from Get items, and map the target field to the source value.
Select Save, then create or modify an item in the source list and confirm that the destination list value is updated automatically.
Use WPS Office as a Free Alternative for SharePoint Data Files
This synchronization flow is built in Microsoft Power Automate, not in WPS Office. If you also export or edit SharePoint list data as Excel or CSV files, WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, familiar way to open and update those Microsoft Office-compatible files without a subscription.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Go to wps.com, select Download, and install WPS Office for your Windows, macOS, Android, or iOS device.
- 2. Open SharePoint-exported files: Launch WPS Office, click Menu > Open, and select the Excel or CSV file exported from SharePoint.
- 3. Edit and save Office-compatible files: Update the values, then click Menu > Save As and choose .xlsx, .xls, or .csv to keep Microsoft Office compatibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sync SharePoint list values without Power Automate?
You can use older SharePoint workflows in some environments, but Microsoft recommends Power Automate. In Power Automate, create an automated cloud flow with the SharePoint trigger 'When an item is created or modified'.
Which field should I use to match items between the source and destination lists?
Use the SharePoint item ID when both lists share the same IDs. Otherwise use a common key such as Title, employee number, or a unique text column, and add a Filter query like Title eq '<source Title>' in the Get items action.
Does this method require a lookup column?
No. The flow uses a SharePoint Get items action with a filter query to find the matching destination item, then a SharePoint Update item action writes the value directly to the target field.
What should I do if the flow updates the wrong item?
Check the Filter query and confirm that the matching field is unique in the destination list. You can also set 'Top Count' to 1 in Get items and verify that the returned item ID is the intended one.
Can WPS Office run this Power Automate flow?
No, WPS Office does not create or run Power Automate flows. You can use WPS Office to open and edit SharePoint-exported Excel or CSV files after the flow exports or updates them.
