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How to Fix Power Automate SharePoint List Email Errors to Multiple People

Maira Mehtab Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users encounter errors when trying to save Power Automate flows designed to send automated emails to multiple people from a SharePoint list, typically due to mismatched field structures.

Product: Power Automate & SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Automating email notifications to multiple recipients based on SharePoint list data.
Observed behavior: The Power Automate flow fails to save because nested 'Apply to each' expressions do not match the actual field structure of single or multi-value Person/Group columns.

Before you start

Ensure you have edit access to both the SharePoint list and the Power Automate flow, and verify whether the 'Person or Group' columns in your list allow multiple selections.

Solution 1Recommended

Inspect and Align Data Types for Person or Group Columns

Check the dynamic content to ensure your expressions correctly handle whether the field returns a single object or an array of objects.

Power Automate strictly validates data types when saving a flow. If a SharePoint column allows multiple selections, it returns an array of objects. If it allows only one, it returns a single object. Passing an array into a field that expects a string, or failing to loop through an array properly, will prevent the flow from saving.

Verify SharePoint column settings

Navigate to your SharePoint List settings, open the 'Person or Group' column, and check if 'Allow multiple selections' is set to Yes or No.

Open flow dynamic content

In your Power Automate flow editor, locate the action where you are using the Person/Group data (such as 'Send an email'). Click the field to open the Dynamic Content pane.

Apply loops for arrays

If the column allows multiple selections, ensure you are using an 'Apply to each' action. Select the array from the dynamic content, and inside the loop, reference the specific 'Email' property.

Check raw JSON outputs

If using advanced expressions like union, split, or join, run a test of the flow with historical data and inspect the raw JSON output to confirm the exact structure before saving your updated expressions.

Expression syntax matters: Make sure your nested expressions are perfectly matched to the brackets and data hierarchy shown in your JSON output. Even a single misplaced bracket can cause a save failure.

Solution 2

Consult the Microsoft Power Platform Community

Since nested loops and array manipulations can be highly specific to your list structure, getting community experts to review your flow definition is highly effective.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Power Automate flow fail to save when using SharePoint columns?

This typically happens if there is a mismatch between the expected data type and what the SharePoint column outputs. For example, treating a multi-selection Person column (an array) as a single object will cause validation errors preventing the flow from saving.

How do I extract email addresses from a SharePoint Person or Group array?

You can use a 'Select' data operation or an 'Apply to each' loop mapped to the Person/Group column's dynamic content to iterate through the array and append the 'Email' property to an array variable or string.

What is the best way to troubleshoot complex expression errors in Power Automate?

Run a test of your flow and inspect the raw JSON outputs of previous steps. Ensure your expressions (like split, join, or union) perfectly align with the JSON structure. If you remain stuck, posting your flow structure and raw output to the Power Platform Community is highly recommended.

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