Consistently have inputs from Forms automatically appear at the *top* of an Excel table

Question

I'm automatically populating an Excel (for web) sheet with data from Forms. Every form creates a new row in the table, but always puts it at the bottom. I can manually sort by date, but I'd rather it happen automatically.

So I've created a script to sort by the date column, and I've created a Flow to activate this script on receipt of incoming Form data. But it's inconsistent.

Some data is input on a form while the workbook is closed and the data will appear when it's opened, but that doesn't trigger the Flow. With the workbook open, the first data input doesn't trigger the Flow. The *second* data input *does*, but it seems like it triggers it before adding the new data to the table, so the *first* data input is moved to the top, but the *second* is still at the bottom. A *third* form input actually sorts the entire table including the data input in that form.

There doesn't seem to be a way to trigger a script when the workbook is opened. I *can* set it to trigger at given time intervals, but that wouldn't really accomplish what I'm trying to do. I can also create a button to press to trigger the script, but given that this is a web app rather than a desktop app, that actually takes longer than doing it via the table's controls.

There *must* be a way to consistently have new data appear at the top of the table. Just having the Flow trigger when the workbook is opened and consistently sort the entire table *every time* there is incoming data would work.

Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Dear Hey Nonny Mouse,

Good day!

Yes, the settings you mentioned are the default settings for Forms and cannot be changed.

I'm also doing a search for you in the relevant forums, but it doesn't seem to be able to directly meet your needs either. I completely agree with you, this is indeed a great addition to the current functionality of Forms, thanks for pointing this out. Microsoft is constantly working to improve the functionality of its O365 products, and such suggestions are greatly appreciated. You can go to the feedback community to create a new entry or vote for it.

Thanks for your cooperation.

Sincerely,

Tin | Microsoft Community Moderator

Answer 2

Well, I copy & pasted this thread over there and it looks like it's been deleted, and my account's been locked with seemingly no way to unlock it or contact anybody.

Perhaps it's considered spamming? Not very helpful, in any case.

Answer 3

I'll ask there too, but the Flow isn't the important thing. I'm happy to abandon that entirely, if there's something else that would work. The important thing is having incoming data be at the top of the table.

Answer 4

Dear Hey Nonny Mouse,

Good day! Thank you for posting to Microsoft Community. I am happy to help you

I would like to confirm if the Flow you are using was created with Power Automate. If so, please understand that this query is outside of our support boundaries. For you to be assisted properly please reach out to Power Automate - Microsoft Community Hub; I am sure that our experts from that team can address your query effectively and accurately.  

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. Please do not hesitate to post your queries in Microsoft Community and we will always do our best

to assist you!

Sincerely,

Waqas Muhammad | Microsoft Community Moderator