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How to Send Power Automate Reminders Only When a Column is Blank

Aamir Naveed Akram Oct 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to configure a Power Automate flow to send email reminders based on a SharePoint list, but only if a specific column is empty.

How to Send Power Automate Reminders Only When a Column is Blank

Product: Microsoft Power Automate
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Setting up automated SharePoint email reminders without notifying users for items that have already been marked as complete.
Observed behavior: Reminders need to be restricted so they trigger exclusively when the target tracking column is blank or null.

Before you start

Ensure you have edit access to the target SharePoint list and the specific Power Automate flow you want to modify.

Solution 1Recommended

Add a Condition Action to Filter Empty Columns

Use the built-in Condition action in Power Automate to check if the column value is null or empty before sending the email.

By evaluating the target column before the email action, you can stop the flow for items that have already been marked as complete or wrapped up.

Locate the email action

Open your flow in Microsoft Power Automate and locate the step where the 'Send an email' action is configured.

Insert a Condition

Click the '+' icon right before the 'Send an email' action, select 'Add an action', and search for 'Condition'.

Configure the column check

In the Condition box, select your target column (e.g., 'Wrap up Flag') from the Dynamic content list.

Set the empty value criteria

Set the operator to 'is equal to' and leave the value field completely blank, or use the expression 'null'.

Move the email action

Drag your existing 'Send an email' action into the 'If yes' branch of the condition so it only triggers when the field is empty.

Add a Condition Action to Filter Empty Columns

Advanced Value Checking: If the column contains either 'WrapUp' or a blank value, ensure you test the flow with both scenarios. For complex data types, you may need to use the empty() expression.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my flow still send emails when the column has text?

This usually happens if the condition is placed in the wrong branch or if the column contains hidden spaces instead of being truly blank. Check your condition logic and ensure it specifically checks for null or empty strings.

How do I use an expression to check for a blank column?

In the condition value field, click 'Expression' and type `null`. Alternatively, you can use the `empty()` function wrapped around your dynamic content to properly evaluate if the field has no data.

Can I check multiple columns before sending a reminder?

Yes. In the Condition action, you can click 'Add' to insert another row. Set the logical operator to 'And' so the email only sends if all the specified columns meet your blank criteria.

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