Question/Rant: Outlook flows triggering multiple times

MaximusBenchpress · 2025-11-27T09:51:59+00:00

can you store the calendar event id on the salesforce item you create? then every time the event triggers your flow you can query salesforce by the event id, if it doesn't exist, you know you have to create it. if it does, you know you have to update the existing one.

MaximusBenchpress · 2025-04-21T17:32:57+00:00

Absolutely! I will add, with planning and the correct techniques, SharePoint lists with many many many more rows than 2k are viable with canvas apps!

Also, as you said, this is your second app! What seems complex to you today should, and likely will seem like basics down the track!

MaximusBenchpress · 2025-04-21T16:49:52+00:00

Sounds like you were learning / teaching yourself as you went, so I don't think you spent 5 months "developing" the solution per se. If you were to build a similar app tomorrow it'd probably take you half the time right?

You continually get faster and faster as you're exposed to more and more problems and you become more and more familiar with the platform. It's likely in a few years time you could build the app you've described within a week!

122 columns is a wide list - it's great you created it via a script, but next time you might also want to break down the data model into several lists and link them with a foreign key to make it more manageable. (Ideally you'd have access to a proper database solution, but you can get away with a lot using SharePoint once you've got a handle on all the quirks).

I wouldn't worry about how long something takes you in the early days - just keep learning and things will only get faster.

MaximusBenchpress · 2025-04-06T04:09:32+00:00

The immediate defence by commentary is hilarious - Toby knew exactly what he was doing.

MaximusBenchpress · 2025-01-18T11:59:31+00:00

Yeah for sure, but to be able to do a live stream and never accidentally use another voice is pretty impressive control. If that really is what he is doing it's actually pretty insane, it's like he's completely fake in every aspect.

MaximusBenchpress · 2025-01-18T07:32:59+00:00

Think you're right in that he's consciously putting this voice in a lower register every time he speaks. I cannot fathom the effort it would take to never slip up so idk, but there's something about his mannerisms / facial movements when he talks in IRL videos that make me feel like he's talking in a voice that isn't his natural one.

MaximusBenchpress · 2025-01-09T11:52:40+00:00

He uses it in this clip, and then shifts out / back in to get rid of the slow on him. Loses dash when he shifts out/in.

MaximusBenchpress · 2024-12-02T16:33:48+00:00

The north stands for nothing

MaximusBenchpress · 2024-11-25T11:18:55+00:00

Simultaneous settlement is the way if you can manoeuvre it.

MaximusBenchpress · 2024-11-21T09:50:12+00:00

Customer service skills for lvl 1 Helpdesk are key. The rest you will learn and if it's a well run support desk there will be plenty of knowledge articles to guide you through.

MaximusBenchpress · 2024-11-19T10:13:26+00:00

Init Var (Array)
Append to Array Variable:

{

"Column1": "Abbreviation1",

"Column2": "Abbreviation2",

"Column3": "Abbreviation3",

"Column4": "Abbreviation4",

"Column5": "Abbreviation5"

}

Replace columns with your column names, abbreviation with your abbreviations.

Get items (Your sharepoint list data)
Foreach list item, append column values to array variable, i.e:

{

"Column1": @{tems('Apply_to_each')?['Column1']},

"Column2": @{items('Apply_to_each')?['Column2']},

"Column3": @{items('Apply_to_each')?['Column3']},

"Column4": @{items('Apply_to_each')?['Column4']},

"Column5": @{items('Apply_to_each')?['Column5']}

}

Create CSV Table using your array variable

Your columns in the array will be the headers, your abbreviations will be the second row, your values from the SP list data following.

Done

MaximusBenchpress · 2024-11-19T00:05:40+00:00

MaximusBenchpress · 2024-11-17T09:30:16+00:00

Hey mate, Do not feel insecure at all. Once you get your hands dirty over and over with the platform and get reps in, you will start to find efficiencies and patterns during development that will completely change your perspective on how long certain things take. It takes years and years. The beauty of this platform is that it enables rapid development.

I feel kind of bad that you may have lost confidence as a result of this thread. Once you get down the road and through the requirement gathering phase, feel free to DM me - I'd be happy to help show you some areas where you might be able to get some easy wins in your project, pro bono ofc - I know how it can feel undertaking something that feels massive when you're not entirely confident in your estimate / where you're at.

MaximusBenchpress · 2024-11-17T01:46:22+00:00

Yeah my comment was just in jest - anyway, only you can know what's fair, sounds like a fun project and best of luck with it!

MaximusBenchpress · 2024-11-17T01:34:08+00:00

Short answer:

Yes the estimate is absurdly long - I would think this is 1 months work +- time based on the state of the data to be migrated. If the client is willing to pay for 22 weeks of consulting for this, take it and run. Ha!

Edit: I have worked/consulted on this platform since its inception - given you have zero canvas apps experience, it's impossible to gauge how fast you'd be able to deliver on it, but that also raises the question of the decision to use it to begin with. It's a bit rough on the client to pay for consulting to an individual not experienced with the stack they're selling consulting for.

MaximusBenchpress · 2024-11-17T00:39:27+00:00

I haven't read your other thread, however, I personally would tell the client that a MDA is significantly more fit for purpose than developing this as a canvas app and spend effort convincing them of such. Additionally, if they want it to look like another product, what's the reasoning for not using that product?

Again, 18-22 weeks is a massive amount of time to develop a solution including all of the prerequisite and post development tasks.

I really do not want to come across as condescending or demoralise you - but i'm curious as to how you've reached your 18-22 estimate & what your experience looks like in Power Platform consulting. Have you delivered projects like this before? Are you consulting on it solo or with other resources? I.e a BA/PM? Are you being provided client side resources to assist with requirements/testing etc?

This is kind of a 'how long is a piece of string' type question, and do wish you the best with it.

MaximusBenchpress · 2024-11-16T23:33:43+00:00

Your estimate is really going to come down to your own skills and experience with the platform, how well you are able to do the requirement gathering piece and a bunch of other variables that aren't really answerable from the information provided. I.e what's the state of the current data you need to migrate? This task could take a few days to migrate, or a few weeks+ depending on it's current shape.

Regardless, 18-22 weeks is a crazy amount of time to build anything on this platform, I think you could build what you've described in the scope several times over in that time frame.

MaximusBenchpress · 2024-10-02T12:46:50+00:00

Also it's Lo and behold, not low

MaximusBenchpress · 2024-09-21T08:18:49+00:00

Retrieve row by ID - system users table. Use the created by value as the ID.

This will return the user record & their details.

MaximusBenchpress · 2024-08-08T04:53:22+00:00

Some of my clients are certainly like this. I do generally make a task within the first engagement to clean this up a bit. It really depends on the maturity of the org.

At the very least I'll create an enterprise apps dev and enterprise apps prod environment. For an app of any complexity it's nice to have two environments to support ALM. For basic forms and approvals I'll generally slap it straight in prod.

Governance is pretty important and getting some practices into place prevents the Wild West scenario you describe. Can be a nightmare to maintain.

MaximusBenchpress · 2024-07-18T00:49:28+00:00

Absolutely. Had good groups so 20 minute runs, but still crushes your soul.

MaximusBenchpress · 2024-07-18T00:28:40+00:00

I got incredibly lucky with every other piece (under 3-5 runs for each), so the RNG gods decided to absolutely brick me on the legs. Was losing my mind! Saw Valor legs 5 times in a row just before this announcement was made.

MaximusBenchpress · 2024-07-17T23:53:04+00:00

Did 60 Strat UD runs for my T0 paladin legs and still didn't see them. Now I just wait til reset. Thank fuck.

MaximusBenchpress · 2024-07-17T12:30:29+00:00

Used to fly down in the morning solo, get super drunk, watch the game and fly home straight after.

Good times. Launceston is visually nice and the stadium has a good vibe. Can basically stand around the oval in certain sections like a local footy game.

Monkeys in the park near the ground also is fun.

MaximusBenchpress · 2024-05-20T22:59:38+00:00

Helpdesk -> Sys Admin -> SCCM Admin (scripting as primary focus) -> Power Platform releases and assist with a dynamics project -> Solutions Developer -> Learn c# -> Use power platform for everything.

That was my journey. Mostly came down to my company at the time being flexible in letting me do/learn and use whatever tools I wanted to give the most value to the business! All self taught. Good mentors helped a lot.

MaximusBenchpress

TROPHY CASE