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How to Create a SharePoint Checklist from a Template Using Power Automate

Muhammad Talha Oct 1, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to automatically generate a Microsoft Teams or SharePoint checklist from an existing template when a new SharePoint list item is added.

How to Create a SharePoint Checklist from a Template Using Power Automate

Product: Microsoft SharePoint / Power Automate
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Generating a checklist automatically upon adding a new list item, especially when standard template saving features are disabled.
Observed behavior: Users are unable to save lists as templates natively and require an automated workaround to clone checklist structures.

Before you start

Ensure you have the necessary permissions in both Microsoft SharePoint and Power Automate to create flows, access target lists, and create new list items or Teams.

Solution 1Recommended

Automate Checklist Creation Using a Power Automate Flow

Use a Power Automate flow to detect a new SharePoint list item and automatically copy a checklist structure from a designated template list.

Since saving a SharePoint list as a template natively is often restricted by administrator settings or custom scripts, utilizing Power Automate is the most effective workaround. By building a flow, you can command SharePoint to duplicate an existing list's data sequentially whenever a specific trigger occurs.

Set up the flow trigger

Open Power Automate and create an Automated cloud flow. Select 'When an item is created' as the trigger, and point it to the SharePoint Site Address and List Name where your initial entry will be made.

Retrieve the template data

Add a new action and search for 'Get items' (SharePoint). Configure this action to connect to the specific SharePoint list that holds your checklist template structure.

Loop through template items

Add an 'Apply to each' control action. In the 'Select an output from previous steps' field, choose the 'value' dynamic content from your 'Get items' step.

Create the new checklist items

Inside the 'Apply to each' loop, add a 'Create item' (SharePoint) action. Map the fields (like Title, Description, etc.) using the dynamic content from your template list to populate the new target SharePoint list or Microsoft Team.

Automate Checklist Creation Using a Power Automate Flow

Community Support: Flow design can become complex depending on your site permissions and list structure. If you run into dynamic content mapping issues, consider consulting the Microsoft Power Automate Community for advanced implementation assistance.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Looking for a Simpler Way to Manage Tasks? Try WPS Office

If complex SharePoint configurations and Power Automate flows are slowing down your productivity, WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative. Easily manage project task lists, spreadsheets, and documents without steep learning curves or complicated automations.

1. Download and Install WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website, download the free version, and install it on your device.
2. Create a Checklist Template: Open WPS Spreadsheet, design your task checklist using built-in formatting tools, and save it locally or to the cloud.
3. Open Microsoft Formats Instantly: Drag and drop any existing .xlsx or .docx checklist templates directly into WPS Office to continue working without compatibility issues.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint formats.Free and lightweight alternative to heavy Microsoft Office subscriptions.Create, format, and manage checklist templates effortlessly in WPS Spreadsheet.Familiar user interface makes migration seamless and intuitive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I save a SharePoint list as a template natively?

SharePoint administrators often disable the 'Save list as template' feature due to custom scripting restrictions or because certain site publishing features are activated. Power Automate provides a reliable and customizable workaround for this limitation.

Can Power Automate create a new Microsoft Team alongside the checklist?

Yes, you can add actions like 'Create a team' in your Power Automate flow before generating the checklist items, ensuring your cloned template items are linked directly to the newly created Teams workspace.

Do I need premium connectors to copy SharePoint lists in Power Automate?

No, basic SharePoint actions such as 'When an item is created', 'Get items', and 'Create item' are included in standard Microsoft 365 licenses and generally do not require premium Power Automate connectors.

How do I test my Power Automate checklist flow?

Use the 'Test' button in the upper right corner of the flow designer, select 'Manually', and then add a new item to your trigger SharePoint list to verify if the template checklist populates correctly into the destination list.

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