Excel actions
Article 07/17/2024
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After setting an Excel instance, either with the Launch Excel or the Attach to running Excel action, you can further handle your Excel worksheets.
To read and extract data from an Excel document, use the Read from Excel worksheet action. You can retrieve the value of a single cell or a data table. The following example reads the cells A1 through E5:
When the flow runs, the action stores the data in a data table variable:
To write data to an Excel spreadsheet, use the Write to Excel worksheet action. This action can write any static data or variable to a specified cell or multiple cells in an Excel worksheet.
The following example writes the previously mentioned data table to cell A51:
Each cell in the data table populates the corresponding cell in the workbook. The result is that the A51 to E55 cell range is filled with the contents of the data table.
Resize columns/rows in Excel worksheet
Resizes a selection of columns or rows in the active worksheet of an Excel instance.
Argument
Optional
Accepts
Default Value
Description
Excel instance
No
Excel instance Specify the Excel instance. This variable must have been previously specified in a Launch Excel action.
Resize target
N/A
Column, Row
Column
Specify whether to resize columns or rows
Selection range
N/A
Single, Range, All available
Single
Specify whether to select a single column/row, a range of columns/rows or all the available columns/rows in the active worksheet
Column
No
Text value The column's index number or letter. Column numbering starts from index 1.
Start column
No
Text value The index or letter of the first column. Column numbering starts from index 1.
End column
No
Text value The index or letter of the last column. Column numbering starts from index 1.
Row
No
Numeric value The row's index number. The numbering starts from 1.
Start row
No
Numeric value The index or the first row. The numbering starts from 1.
End row
No
Numeric value The index or the last row. The numbering starts from 1.
Resize type
N/A
Autofit, Custom size
Autofit
Specify whether to autofit selected columns/rows or set a custom size
Width
No
Numeric value The width of the selected columns
Height
No
Numeric value The height of the selected rows
Variables produced
This action doesn't produce any variables.
Exceptions
Exception
Description
Failed to resize columns/rows
Indicates a problem while resizing columns/rows
Run Excel macro
Runs a specified macro on the document of an Excel instance.
Argument
Optional
Accepts
Default Value
Description
Excel instance
No
Excel instance The Excel instance to work with. This variable must have been previously specified in a Launch Excel action.
Macro
No
Text value The macro to run. The text should consist of the name of the macro, followed by any arguments (optional), all separated by semicolons.
Variables produced
This action doesn't produce any variables.
Exceptions
Exception
Description
Failed to run macro
Indicates a problem running the specified macro
Get active Excel worksheet
Retrieves an Excel document's active worksheet.
Argument
Optional
Accepts
Default Value
Description
Excel instance
No
Excel instance The Excel instance to work with. This variable must have been previously specified in a Launch Excel action.
Variables produced
Argument
Type
Description
SheetName
Text value The name of the active worksheet
SheetIndex
Numeric value The index of the active worksheet
Exceptions
Exception
Description
Failed to retrieve active worksheet
Indicates a problem retrieving the active worksheet
Get all Excel worksheets
Retrieves all worksheet names of an Excel document.
Argument
Optional
Accepts
Default Value
Description
Excel instance
No
Excel instance Specify the Excel instance. This variable must have been previously specified in a Launch Excel action.
Variables produced
Argument
Type
Description
SheetNames
List of Text values The names of all worksheets
Exceptions
Exception
Description
Failed to retrieve all worksheet names
Indicates a problem retrieving the names of the Excel worksheet
Delete Excel worksheet
Deletes a specific worksheet from an Excel instance.
Argument
Optional
Accepts
Default Value
Description
Excel instance
No
Excel instance The Excel instance to work with. This variable must have been previously specified in a Launch Excel action.
Delete worksheet with
N/A
Index, Name
Name
Whether to find the worksheet by name or index
Worksheet index
No
Numeric value The Index number of the worksheet to delete. The numbering starts from 1, meaning that the index of the first worksheet is 1, the second is 2, and so on.
Worksheet name
No
Text value The name of the worksheet to delete
Variables produced
This action doesn't produce any variables.
Exceptions
Exception
Description
Can't find worksheet
Indicates that a worksheet with the specified name couldn't be found
Failed to delete worksheet
Indicates a problem deleting the specified worksheet
Rename Excel worksheet
Renames a specific worksheet of an Excel instance.
Argument
Optional
Accepts
Default Value
Description
Excel instance
No
Excel instance Specify the Excel instance. This variable must have been previously specified in a Launch Excel action.
Rename worksheet with
N/A
Index, Name
Name
Specify whether to find the worksheet by name or index
Worksheet index
No
Numeric value The index of the worksheet to rename. The numbering starts from 1, meaning that the index of the first worksheet is 1, the second is 2, and so on.
Worksheet name
No
Text value The name of the worksheet to rename
Worksheet new name
No
Text value The new name of the worksheet
Variables produced
This action doesn't produce any variables.
Exceptions
Exception
Description
Can't find worksheet
Indicates that a worksheet with the specified name couldn't be found
Failed to rename worksheet
Indicates a problem renaming the specified worksheet
Copy Excel worksheet
Copies a worksheet from an Excel document and paste it to the Excel document of the same or different Excel instance.
Argument
Optional
Accepts
Default Value
Description
Excel instance
No
Excel instance The Excel instance to work with. This variable must be specified in a Launch Excel action.
Copy worksheet with
N/A
Index, Name
Name
Specify whether to find the worksheet by name or index
Worksheet index
No
Numeric value The index of the worksheet to copy. The numbering starts from 1, meaning that the index of the first worksheet is 1, the second is 2, and so on.
Worksheet name
No
Text value The name of the worksheet to copy.
Target Excel instance
Νο
Excel instance The Excel instance of the target file. This variable must be specified in a Launch Excel action.
Worksheet new name
No
Text value The new name of the worksheet
Paste worksheet as
N/A
First worksheet, Last worksheet
First worksheet
Specify whether the copied Excel worksheet will be added before or after the existing worksheets
Variables produced
This action doesn't produce any variables.
Exceptions
Exception
Description
Failed to copy worksheet
Indicates a problem when copying a worksheet in Excel
Can't copy worksheet with this name
Indicates a problem when trying to set the sheet name after copying
Activate cell in Excel worksheet
Activate a cell in the active worksheet of an Excel instance, by providing column, row, and offset.
Argument
Optional
Accepts
Default Value
Description
Excel instance
No
Excel instance Specify the Excel instance to work with. This variable must have been previously specified in a Launch Excel action.
Activate
N/A
Absolutely specified cell, Relatively specified cell
Absolutely specified cell
Select whether to specify the cell to activate absolutely, or relatively, by using an offset distance being the number of cells between the currently activated reference cell and the actual cell activate.
Column
No
Text value The numeric value or letter of the cell column.
Direction
N/A
Left, Right, Above, Below
Left
Select offset direction. Select where to look for the cell to activate based on the position of the currently active cell.
Offset from active cell
No
Numeric value The distance in cells between the currently active cell and the desired cell. The numbering starts from 0.
Row
No
Numeric value The numeric value of the cell row. The numbering starts from 1.
Variables produced
This action doesn't produce any variables.
Exceptions
Exception
Description
Failed to activate cell
Indicates a problem activating an Excel cell
Select cells in Excel worksheet
Selects a range of cells in the active worksheet of an Excel instance.
You have three options when it comes to retrieving a range of cells through Excel with the Select cells in Excel worksheet action.
To begin you need a valid Excel instance , which you can create by using the Launch Excel action and providing the respective inputs.
To select a range of cells by explicitly providing the coordinates of the range, select the option Range of cells in the Select property and then provide a range by inputting the number or letter of the cells defining its start and end in the following properties: Start column , Start row , End column , End row .
To select a range of cells , relative to the currently active cell, first select the option Range of cells relative to active cell in the Select property. Then define the direction in the X and Y axis based on the position of the currently active cell, as well as the offset from the active cell in the two axes by modifying the properties X-axis direction , X-axis offset , Y-axis direction and Y-axis offset .
To select a range of cells using the range's name, select the option Names cells in the property Select .
Argument
Optional
Accepts
Default Value
Description
Excel instance
No
Excel instance The Excel instance to work with. This variable must have been previously specified in a Launch Excel action.
Select
N/A
Absolutely specified cell, Relatively specified cell
Absolutely specified cell
Specify whether to select an explicitly specified range of cells or a range of cells relative to the currently active cell.
X Axis Direction
N/A
Left, Right
Left
The X-axis offset direction. Where to look along the horizontal axis, based on currently activated cell's position.
Start column
No
Text value The index or letter of the first column.
X Offset
No
Numeric value The X-axis offset.
Start row
No
Numeric value The first row number. The numbering starts from 1.
End column
No
Text value The index or letter of the last column.
Y Axis Direction
N/A
Above, Below
Above
The Y-axis offset direction. Where to look along the vertical axis, based on the position of the currently active cell.
End row
No
Numeric value The last row number. The numbering starts from 1.
Y Offset
No
Numeric value The Y-axis offset.
Variables produced
This action doesn't produce any variables.
Exceptions
Exception
Description
Failed to select cells
Indicates a problem selecting the specified cells
Get selected cell range from Excel worksheet
Retrieve the selected range of cells in a structure consisting of first column, first row, last column, and last row.
Argument
Optional
Accepts
Default Value
Description
Excel instance
No
Excel instance The Excel instance to work with. This variable must have been previously specified in a Launch Excel action.
Variables produced
Argument
Type
Description
FirstColumnIndex
Numeric value The numeric value of the range's first column
FirstRowIndex
Numeric value The numeric value of the range's first row
LastColumnIndex
Numeric value The numeric value of the range's last column
LastRowIndex
Numeric value The numeric value of the range's last row
Exceptions
Exception
Description
Failed to retrieve the selected range of cells
Indicates a problem retrieving the selected range of cells
Copy cells from Excel worksheet
Copies a range of cells from the active worksheet of an Excel instance.
Argument
Optional
Accepts
Default Value
Description
Excel instance
No
Excel instance The Excel instance to work with. This variable must have been previously specified in a Launch Excel action.
Copy mode
N/A
Single Cell's Values, Values from a Range of Cells, Values from Selection
Single Cell's Values
Specify whether to copy a single cell, a range of cells or the current selection of cells
Start column
No
Text value The index or letter of the first column
Start row
No
Numeric value The index of the first row
End column
No
Text value The index or letter of the last column
End row
No
Numeric value The index of the last row
Variables produced
This action doesn't produce any variables.
Exceptions
Exception
Description
Failed to copy cells
Indicates a problem copying the cells from the Excel document
Paste cells to Excel worksheet
Pastes a range of cells to the active worksheet of an Excel instance.
Argument
Optional
Accepts
Default Value
Description
Excel instance
No
Excel instance Specify the Excel instance. This variable must have been previously specified in a Launch Excel action.
Paste mode
N/A
On specified cell, On currently active cell
On specified cell
Specify whether to paste on a specified cell or the currently active cell
Column
No
Text value The index or letter of the cell column
Row
No
Numeric value The row number
Variables produced
This action doesn't produce any variables.
Exceptions
Exception
Description
Failed to paste cells
Indicates a problem pasting the specified cells
Delete from Excel worksheet
Deletes a cell or a range of cells from the active worksheet of an Excel instance.
Argument
Optional
Accepts
Default Value
Description
Excel instance
No
Excel instance The Excel instance to work with. This variable must have been previously specified in a Launch Excel action.
Retrieve
N/A
The value of a single cell, Values from a range of cells
The value of a single cell
Whether to delete a single cell or a table from a range of cells
Start column
No
Text value The cell column (single cell's value) or first column as a numeric value or a letter
Start row
No
Numeric value The cell row (single cell's value) or first row number
End column
No
Text value The last column as a numeric value or a letter
End row
No
Numeric value The last row number
Shift direction
N/A
Left, Up
Left
The shift direction
Variables produced
This action doesn't produce any variables.
Exceptions
Exception
Description
Failed to delete cells
Indicates a problem deleting the specified cells
Insert row to Excel worksheet
Inserts a row above a selected row of an Excel instance.
Argument
Optional
Accepts
Default Value
Description
Excel instance
No
Excel instance The Excel instance to work with. This variable must have been previously specified in a Launch Excel action.
Row index
No
Numeric value The index of the row to add a new row above. The numbering starts from 1.
Variables produced
This action doesn't produce any variables.
Exceptions
Exception
Description
Can't find row
Indicates that a row with the specified index couldn't be found
Failed to insert row
Indicates a problem inserting a row at the specified Excel instance
Delete row from Excel worksheet
Deletes a selected row from an Excel instance.
Argument
Optional
Accepts
Default Value
Description
Excel instance
No
Excel instance The Excel instance. This variable must have been previously specified in a Launch Excel action.
Delete row
No
Numeric value The Index number of the row to delete. The numbering starts from 1.
Variables produced
This action doesn't produce any variables.
Exceptions
Exception
Description
Can't find row
Indicates that a row with the specified index couldn't be found
Failed to delete row
Indicates a problem deleting the specified row
Insert column to Excel worksheet
Inserts a column to the left of a selected column of an Excel instance.
Argument
Optional
Accepts
Default Value
Description
Excel instance
No
Excel instance The Excel instance to work with. This variable must have been previously specified in a Launch Excel action.
Column
No
Text value The column's index number or letter. A new column will appear on the left side of the column indicated.
Variables produced
This action doesn't produce any variables.
Exceptions
Exception
Description
Can't find column
Indicates that a column with the specified name couldn't be found
Failed to insert column
Indicates a problem inserting a column at the specified Excel instance
Delete column from Excel worksheet
Deletes a selected column from an Excel instance.
Argument
Optional
Accepts
Default Value
Description
Excel instance
No
Excel instance The Excel instance to work with. This variable must have been previously specified in a Launch Excel action.
Delete column
No
Text value The index number or letter of the column to delete.
Variables produced
This action doesn't produce any variables.
Exceptions
Exception
Description
Can't find column
Indicates that a column with the specified name couldn't be found
Failed to delete column
Indicates a problem deleting the specified column
Find and replace cells in Excel worksheet
Finds text and replaces it with another in the active worksheet of an Excel instance.
Argument
Optional
Accepts
Default Value
Description
Excel instance
No
Excel instance The Excel instance to work with. This variable must have been previously specified in a Launch Excel action.
Search mode
N/A
Find, Find and replace
Find
The mode to search with
All matches
N/A
Boolean value False
Whether to find/replace text in all the matching cells found or in the first matching cell only
Text to find
No
Text value The text to find in the worksheet
Text to replace with
No
Text value The text used to replace the matching cells
Match case
N/A
Boolean value False
Whether to search for case-sensitive data
Match entire cell contents
N/A
Boolean value False
Whether to search for cells that contain just the specified text
Search by
N/A
Rows, Columns
Rows
The order in which to search for the text
Variables produced
Argument
Type
Description
FoundColumnIndex
Numeric value The index of the column found
FoundRowIndex
Numeric value The index of the row found
Cells
Datatable The list of cells matching the criteria
Exceptions
Exception
Description
Failed to find and/or replace text
Indicates a problem finding and/or replacing the specified text
Get first free row on column from Excel worksheet
Retrieve the first free row, given the column of the active worksheet.
Argument
Optional
Accepts
Default Value
Description
Excel instance
No
Excel instance Specify the Excel instance. This variable must have been previously specified in a Launch Excel action.
Column
No
Text value The index or letter that identifies the column. Column numbering starts from index 1.
Variables produced
Argument
Type
Description
FirstFreeRowOnColumn
Numeric value The numeric value of the given column's first fully empty row
Exceptions
Exception
Description
Failed to retrieve first free row
Indicates a problem retrieving the first free row of an Excel instance
Reads the formula inside a cell in Excel.
Argument
Optional
Accepts
Default Value
Description
Excel instance
No
Excel instance The Excel instance to work with. This variable must be specified in a Launch Excel action.
Retrieve
N/A
The formula of a single cell, The formula of a named cell
The formula of a single cell
Specify whether to retrieve the formula from a specified cell or a named cell
Start column
No
Text value The cell column (single cell's value) or first column as a numeric value or a letter
Start row
No
Numeric value The cell row (single cell's value) or first row number
Name
No
Text value The name of cells
Variables produced
Argument
Type
Description
CellFormula
Text value The formula of a single cell
Exception
Description
Failed to read the formula from cell
Indicates a problem when reading the formula from a cell in Excel
Get table range from Excel worksheet
Retrieves the range of a table in the active worksheet of an Excel instance.
Argument
Optional
Accepts
Default Value
Description
Excel instance
No
Excel instance The Excel instance to work with. This variable must be specified in a Launch Excel action.
Table name
No
Text value Specify the name of the table in Excel.
Is pivot
N/A
Boolean value False
Determine whether the specified table is a pivot table.
Variables produced
Argument
Type
Description
FirstColumnIndex
Numeric value The numeric value of the table's first column
FirstRowIndex
Numeric value The numeric value of the table's first row
LastColumnIndex
Numeric value The numeric value of the table's last column
LastRowIndex
Numeric value The numeric value of the table's last row
Exceptions
Exception
Description
Failed to get the range from table
Indicates a problem when getting the range from a table in Excel
Auto fill cells in Excel worksheet
Auto fills a range with data, based on the data of another range, in the active worksheet of an Excel instance.
Argument
Optional
Accepts
Default Value
Description
Excel instance
No
Excel instance The Excel instance to work with. This variable must be specified in a Launch Excel action.
Ranges format
N/A
Named cells, Specific ranges
Named cells
Specify how the ranges are referenced, either using named cells or absolute column/row indexes
Source cells name
No
Text value Name representing the source range for auto filling
Destination cells name
No
Text value Name representing the destination range to auto fill. The source range should begin from the same cell and should be included in the destination range
Start column
No
Text value The index or letter of the first column of both ranges
Start row
No
Numeric value The first row number of both ranges. The numbering starts from 1
Source end column
No
Text value The index or letter of the last column of the source range
Source end row
No
Numeric value The last row number of the source range. The numbering starts from 1
Destination end column
No
Text value The index or letter of the last column of the destination range
Destination end row
No
Numeric value The last row number of the destination range. The numbering starts from 1
Variables produced
This action doesn't produce any variables.
Exceptions
Exception
Description
Failed to auto fill cells
Indicates a problem when auto filling cells in Excel
Append cells in Excel worksheet
Appends a range of cells to the active worksheet of an Excel instance.
Argument
Optional
Accepts
Default Value
Description
Excel instance
No
Excel instance The Excel instance to work with. This variable must be specified in a Launch Excel action.
Append mode
N/A
To active sheet, To named cells
To active sheet
Specify whether to append to a sheet or range of named cells
Name
No
Text value The name of the range of cells
First row has headers
N/A
Boolean value False
Indicates that the first row of the destination contains column headers
Starting column
Yes
Text value The starting column number or letter, where the data is appended beginning from the destination's first empty row. If the field is left empty, the first column of the specified destination is used instead.
Starting column header
Yes
Text value The header of the starting column, where the data is appended beginning from the destination's first empty row. If the field is left empty, the first column of the specified destination is used instead.
Variables produced
This action doesn't produce any variables.
Exceptions
Exception
Description
Failed to append cells
Indicates a problem when appending cells in Excel
Lookup range in Excel worksheet
Finds and returns the result of Excel's LOOKUP function.
Argument
Optional
Accepts
Default Value
Description
Excel instance
No
Excel instance The Excel instance to work with. This variable must be specified in a Launch Excel action.
Lookup value
No
Text value The value to lookup in the specified range of cells.
Ranges format
N/A
Named cells, Specific ranges
Named cells
Specify how the ranges are referenced, either using named cells or absolute column/row indexes.
Cells name
No
Text value The name of the cells range to search for the lookup value.
Start column
No
Text value The index or letter of the first column of the range to search for the lookup value.
Start row
No
Numeric value The first row number of the range to search for the lookup value. The numbering starts from 1.
End column
No
Text value The index or letter of the last column of the range to search for the lookup value.
End row
No
Numeric value The last row number of the range to search for the lookup value. The numbering starts from 1.
Array form
N/A
Boolean value False
The array form of LOOKUP looks in the first row or column of an array for the specified value and returns a value from the same position in the last row or column of the array. Use this form of LOOKUP when the values that you want to match are in the first row or column of the array. If this option remains disabled, the vector form of LOOKUP is used instead, which looks in a one-row or one-column range (known as a vector) for a value and returns a value from the same position in a second one-row or one-column range.
Cells name of results source
Yes
Text value The name of the cells range from which the matching value is returned.
Start column of results source
No
Text value The index or letter of the first column of the range from which the matching value is returned.
Start row of results source
No
Numeric value The first row number of the range from which the matching value is returned. The numbering starts from 1.
End column of results source
No
Text value The index or letter of the last column of the range from which the matching value is returned.
End row of results source
No
Numeric value The last row number of the range from which the matching value is returned. The numbering starts from 1.
Variables produced
Argument
Type
Description
LookupResult
Text value The value returned by the LOOKUP function
Exceptions
Exception
Description
Failed to lookup
Indicates a problem when looking up a value in Excel
Set color of cells in Excel worksheet
Fills the background of the selected cells with the specified color, in the active worksheet of an Excel instance.
You can define the color by entering a hexadecimal code, or you can choose from a selection of predefined color names provided in the list. Selecting the 'Transparent' option leaves the cells without any color fill.
Argument
Optional
Accepts
Default Value
Description
Excel instance
No
Excel instance The Excel instance to work with. This variable must be specified in a Launch Excel action.
Set color of
N/A
Single cell, Range of cells, Named cells
Single cell
Specify whether to set the background color of a single cell, a range of cells, or named cells.
Start column
No
Text value The index or letter of the cell column or range's first column.
Start row
No
Numeric value The cell row or the range's first row number. The numbering starts from 1.
End column
No
Text value The index or letter of the range's last column.
End row
No
Numeric value The range's last row number. The numbering starts from 1.
Cells name
No
Text value Name representing the range that is filled with the specified color.
Color format
N/A
Name, Hexadecimal value
Name
Select whether to specify a color by its name or its hexadecimal value.
Color name
No
Text value Select one of the system defined colors.
Color hexadecimal value
No
Text value Specify the hexadecimal (RGB) value of the color.
Variables produced
This action doesn't produce any variables.
Exceptions
Exception
Description
Failed to set color
Indicates a problem when setting the color of cells in Excel
Launch Excel
Launches a new Excel instance or opens an Excel document.
Argument
Optional
Accepts
Default Value
Description
Launch Excel
N/A
With a blank document, and open the following document
With a blank document
Specify whether to open a New Excel document, or an existing document
Document path
No
File The full path of the existing Excel document to open
Make instance visible
N/A
Boolean value True
Specify whether to make the Excel window visible or hidden
Nest under a new Excel process
N/A
Boolean value False
Specify whether the Excel spreadsheet should be under a unique Excel process. Macros and add-ins from other spreadsheets won't be accessible.
Password
Yes
Direct encrypted input or Text value
The password on the Excel document, if it's password protected
Open as ReadOnly
N/A
Boolean value False
Specify whether to open the stored document in read-only mode or not
Load add-ins and macros
N/A
Boolean value False
Specify whether to load add-ins and macros into the new Excel instance
Variables produced
Argument
Type
Description
ExcelInstance
Excel instance The specific Excel instance for use with later Excel actions. This allows the user to specify which of possibly several Excel spreadsheets to access
Exceptions
Exception
Description
Failed to launch Excel
Indicates a problem launching an Excel instance
Failed to open Excel document
Indicates a problem opening the specified Excel document
Attach to running Excel
Attaches to an Excel document that's already open.
Argument
Optional
Accepts
Default Value
Description
Document name
No
File The name or the path of the Excel document to attach to
Variables produced
Argument
Type
Description
ExcelInstance
Excel instance The Excel instance this action has attached to for use with later Excel actions
Exceptions
Exception
Description
Specified Excel document not found
Indicates that the specified Excel document couldn't be found
Failed to attach to Excel document
Indicates a problem attaching to the Excel document
Read from Excel worksheet
Reads the value of a cell or a range of cells from the active worksheet of an Excel instance.
Argument
Optional
Accepts
Default Value
Description
Excel instance
No
Excel instance The Excel instance to work with. This variable must have been previously specified in a Launch Excel action.
Retrieve
N/A
The value of a single cell, Values from a range of cells, Values from selection, All available values from worksheet
The value of a single cell
Whether to retrieve the value of a single cell, a table from a range of cells or the entire worksheet
Start column
No
Text value The cell column (single cell's value) or first column as a numeric value or a letter
Start row
No
Numeric value The cell row (single cell's Value) or first row number
End column
No
Text value The last column as a numeric value or a letter
End row
No
Numeric value The last row number
Get cell contents as text
N/A
Boolean value False
Specify whether to retrieve the content of the cells purely as text or as the closest matching type such as Date Time for dates, Numeric for numbers, and so on
First line of range contains column names
N/A
Boolean value False
Specify whether to consider the first row as column names. In this case, the names won't be read as data into the table and later actions can search the data by column names.
Variables produced
Argument
Type
Description
ExcelData
General value The value of the single cell
ExcelData
Datatable The value of the range of cells as a DataTable
Exceptions
Exception
Description
Failed to read cell values
Indicates a problem reading the value(s) of the specified Excel cells
Get active cell on Excel worksheet
Get the active cell in the active worksheet of the Excel document.
Argument
Optional
Accepts
Default Value
Description
Excel instance
No
Excel instance The Excel instance to work with. This variable must have been previously specified in a Launch Excel action.
Variables produced
Argument
Type
Description
ActiveCellColumnIndex
Numeric value The numeric value of the active cell's column
ActiveCellRowIndex
Numeric value The numeric value of the active cell's row
Exceptions
Exception
Description
Failed to get active cell
Indicates a problem getting the active cell
Save Excel
Saves a previously launched Excel instance.
Argument
Optional
Accepts
Default Value
Description
Excel instance
No
Excel instance The Excel instance to save. This variable must have been previously specified in a Launch Excel action.
Save mode
N/A
Save document, Save document as
Save document
How to save the document of this instance
Document format
N/A
Default (From Extension), Excel Workbook (.xlsx), Excel Workbook Macro Enabled (.xlsm), Excel 97-2003 Workbook (.xls), Web Page (.htm, .html), Excel Template (.xltx), Excel Template Macro Enabled (.xltm), Excel 97-2003 Template (.xlt), Text (.txt), Unicode Text (.txt), Text Macintosh (.txt), Text DOS (.txt), XML Spreadsheet (.xml), Excel 95 (.xls), CSV (.csv), DIF (.dif), SYLK (.slk), Excel add-in (.xlam), Excel 97-2003 add-In (.xla), Strict Open XML Workbook (.xlsx), OpenDocument Spreadsheet (.ods), XML Data (.xml), Excel Binary Workbook (.xlsb)
Default (From Extension)
The format to save the document as
Document path
No
File The full path to save the document as
Variables produced
This action doesn't produce any variables.
Exceptions
Exception
Description
Failed to save Excel document
Indicates a problem saving the Excel document
Write to Excel worksheet
Writes a value into a cell or a range of cells of an Excel instance.
Argument
Optional
Accepts
Default Value
Description
Excel instance
No
Excel instance The Excel instance to work with. This variable must have been previously specified in a Launch Excel action.
Value to write
No
General value Enter the text, number, or variable to insert. If the variable contains a table, it will fill in cells to the right and below, writing over other cell data if need be and a list will fill in cells below.
Write mode
N/A
On specified cell, On currently active cell
On specified cell
Whether to write into a specified cell or the currently active cell
Column
No
Text value The column number or letter for the cell to write to
Row
No
Numeric value The row of the cell to write to. The numbering starts from 1, meaning that the index of the first worksheet is 1, the second is 2, and so on.
Variables produced
This action doesn't produce any variables.
Exceptions
Exception
Description
Failed to write value to Excel
Indicates a problem writing the specified value to the Excel instance
Close Excel
Closes an Excel instance.
Argument
Optional
Accepts
Default Value
Description
Excel instance
No
Excel instance The Excel instance to close. This variable must have been previously specified in a Launch Excel action.
Before closing Excel
N/A
Do not save document, Save document, Save document as
Don't save document
Whether and how to save the document of this instance before closing that instance
Document format
N/A
Default (From Extension), Excel Workbook (.xlsx), Excel Workbook Macro Enabled (.xlsm), Excel 97-2003 Workbook (.xls), Web Page (.htm, .html), Excel Template (.xltx), Excel Template Macro Enabled (.xltm), Excel 97-2003 Template (.xlt), Text (.txt), Unicode Text (.txt), Text Macintosh (.txt), Text DOS (.txt), XML Spreadsheet (.xml), Excel 95 (.xls), CSV (.csv), DIF (.dif), SYLK (.slk), Excel add-in (.xlam), Excel 97-2003 add-in (.xla), Strict Open XML Workbook (.xlsx), OpenDocument Spreadsheet (.ods), XML Data (.xml), Excel Binary Workbook (.xlsb)
Default (From Extension)
The format of the document
Document path
No
File The full path of the document
Variables produced
This action doesn't produce any variables.
Exceptions
Exception
Description
Failed to save Excel document
Indicates a problem saving the Excel document
Failed to close Excel instance
Indicates a problem closing the Excel instance
Set active Excel worksheet
Activates a specific worksheet of an Excel instance.
Argument
Optional
Accepts
Default Value
Description
Excel instance
No
Excel instance Specify the Excel instance. This variable must have been previously specified in a Launch Excel action.
Activate worksheet with
N/A
Index, Name
Name
Specify whether to find the worksheet by name or index
Worksheet index
No
Numeric value The index number of the worksheet to activate. The numbering starts from 1, meaning that the index of the first worksheet is 1, the second is 2, and so on.
Worksheet name
No
Text value The name of the worksheet to activate
Variables produced
This action doesn't produce any variables.
Exceptions
Exception
Description
Can't find worksheet
Indicates that a worksheet with the specified name couldn't be found
Failed to activate worksheet
Indicates a problem activating the specified worksheet
Add new worksheet
Adds a new worksheet to the document of an Excel instance.
Argument
Optional
Accepts
Default Value
Description
Excel instance
No
Excel instance Specify the Excel instance. This variable must have been previously specified in a Launch Excel action.
New worksheet name
No
Text value Specify the name of the new worksheet
Add worksheet as
N/A
First worksheet, Last worksheet
First worksheet
Specify whether the new Excel worksheet will be added before or after the existing worksheets
Variables produced
This action doesn't produce any variables.
Exceptions
Exception
Description
A worksheet with the same name already exists
Indicates that the worksheet couldn't be added because a worksheet with the same name already exists
Failed to add worksheet
Indicates a problem adding the worksheet
Get first free column/row from Excel worksheet
Retrieves the first free column and/or row of the active worksheet. This is useful for adding new data into a worksheet that already has data in it.
Argument
Optional
Accepts
Default Value
Description
Excel instance
No
Excel instance Specify The Excel instance. This variable must have been previously specified in a Launch Excel action.
Variables produced
Argument
Type
Description
FirstFreeColumn
Numeric value The numeric value of the first fully empty column. For example, if column F is the first empty column, it will be stored as '6'.
FirstFreeRow
Numeric value The numeric value of the first fully empty row. For example, if row 7 is the first empty row, it will be stored as '7'.
Exceptions
Exception
Description
Failed to retrieve first free column/row
Indicates a problem retrieving the first free column/row of an Excel instance
Get column name on Excel worksheet
Gets the name of the column.
Argument
Optional
Accepts
Default Value
Description
Column number
No
Numeric value The column number
Variables produced
Argument
Type
Description
ColumnName
Text value The name of the column
Exceptions
This action doesn't include any exceptions.
Clear cells in Excel worksheet
Clears a range of cells or a named cell in the active worksheet of an Excel instance.
Argument
Optional
Accepts
Default Value
Description
Excel instance
No
Excel instance The Excel instance to work with. This variable must have been previously specified in a Launch Excel action.
Clear
N/A
Range of cells, Range of cells relative to active cell, Named cells, Single cell
Range of cells
Specify whether to select an explicitly specified range of cells, a range of cells relative to the currently active cell, named cells, or a single cell.
X Axis Direction
N/A
Left, Right
Left
The X-axis offset direction. Where to look along the horizontal axis, based on currently activated cell's position.
Start column
No
Text value The index or letter of the first column.
X Offset
No
Numeric value The X-axis offset.
Start row
No
Numeric value The first row number. The numbering starts from 1.
End column
No
Text value The index or letter of the last column.
Y Axis Direction
N/A
Above, Below
Above
The Y-axis offset direction. Where to look along the vertical axis, based on the position of the currently active cell.
End row
No
Numeric value The last row number. The numbering starts from 1.
Y Offset
No
Numeric value The Y-axis offset.
Name
No
Text value The name of cells.
Column
No
Text value The index or letter of the column.
Row
No
Numeric value The row number. Enumeration starts from 1.
Variables produced
This action doesn't produce any variables.
Exceptions
Exception
Description
Failed to clear cells
Indicates a problem occurred while trying to clear the specified cells in the Excel instance.
Sort cells in Excel worksheet
Argument
Optional
Accepts
Default Value
Description
Excel instance
No
Excel instance The Excel instance to work with. This variable must have been previously specified in a Launch Excel action.
Sort column in
N/A
Active sheet, Table, Range
Active sheet
Specify whether the column to be sorted is part of a table, a specified range, either by name or absolute coordinates or if it's part of the general active worksheet.
Table name
No
Text value The name of the table.
Range
N/A
Named cells, Specific range
Named cells
Specify the range to be sorted, either using named cell or absolute column and row index.
Cells name
No
Text value Name representing the range.
Start column
No
Text value The index or letter of the first column.
Start row
No
Numeric value The first row number. The numbering starts from 1.
End column
No
Text value The index or letter of the last column.
End row
No
Numeric value The last row number. The numbering starts from 1.
Sort by
Yes
Sorting rules as defined by the user
N/A
Sorting rules to apply.
First row is header
Yes
Boolean value Indicates that the first row of the worksheet is a header.
Variables produced
This action doesn't produce any variables.
Exceptions
Exception
Description
Failed to sort cells in worksheet
Indicates a problem sorting cells in the worksheet.
Filter cells in Excel worksheet
Filter cells in Excel worksheet allows makers to create and apply a filter in the active sheet, table, or range on the values of a specified column. To filter multiple columns in an active sheet/table/range, multiple Filter cells in Excel worksheet actions must be used, each one applying the respective filter.
Important
To apply multiple filters in a specific active sheet/table/range, make sure that all Filter cells in Excel worksheet actions used target the same source (active sheet/table/range).
When using the Filter cells in Excel worksheet in an active sheet/range with already existing/applied filters:
If the targeted range is the same as the one the previous filters were applied on, all filters are applied.
If the targeted range isn't the same as the range previous filters were applied on, previous filters are cleared, and only the latest filter is applied.
If the targeted range is a table, all filters are applied.
Argument
Optional
Accepts
Default Value
Description
Excel instance
No
Excel instance The Excel instance to work with. This variable must have been previously specified in a Launch Excel action.
Filter column in
N/A
Active sheet, Table, Range
Active sheet
Specify whether the column to be filtered is part of a table, a specified range, either by name or absolute coordinates or if it's part of the general active worksheet
Table name
No
Text value The name of the table.
Range
N/A
Named cells, Specific range
Named cells
Specify the range to be filtered, either using named cell or absolute column/row index
Cells name
No
Text value Name representing the range
Start column
No
Text value The index or letter of the first column.
Start row
No
Numeric value The first row number. The numbering starts from 1.
End column
No
Text value The index or letter of the last column.
End row
No
Numeric value The last row number. The numbering starts from 1.
Column to filter
No
Text value Name or index of the column to be filtered. If the column is part of a table use the header name.
Filters to apply
Yes
Filtering rules as defined by the user
N/A
Filtering rules applied to the defined column
Variables produced
This action doesn't produce any variables.
Exceptions
Exception
Description
Failed to apply filter on cells in worksheet
Indicates a problem applying the specified filter on cells in the worksheet
Clear filters in Excel worksheet
Argument
Optional
Accepts
Default Value
Description
Excel instance
No
Excel instance The Excel instance to work with. This variable must have been previously specified in a Launch Excel action.
Clear filters in
N/A
Active sheet, Table
Active sheet
Specify whether to clear filters from the entire active worksheet or from a specific table.
Table name
No
Text value The name of the table.
Clear filters from specific column
Yes
Boolean value Clear filters from specific column.
Clear filter in column
No
Text value The column name to clear applied filter.
Variables produced
This action doesn't produce any variables.
Exceptions
Exception
Description
Failed to clear filter on cells in worksheet
Indicates a problem applying the specified filter on cells in the worksheet
Get empty cell
Argument
Optional
Accepts
Default Value
Description
Excel instance
No
Excel instance The Excel instance to work with. This variable must have been previously specified in a Launch Excel action.
Operation
N/A
First empty cell, First empty cell in column, First empty cell in row, All empty cells
First empty cell
Specify whether to search for the first empty cell, the first empty cell on column, the first empty cell on row, or all empty cells inside a specific range.
Search direction
N/A
By row, By column
By row
Specify whether to search by rows or columns to find the first empty cell inside a specific range.
Search in
N/A
Named cells, Specific range
Named cells
Search for empty cell in a named cell or a range defined by start column/row and end column/row.
Cells name
No
Text value Name representing the range.
Column
No
Text value Column.
Row
No
Numeric value Row.
Start column
No
Text value The index or letter of the first column.
Start row
No
Numeric value The first row number. The numbering starts from 1.
End column
No
Text value The index or letter of the last column.
End row
No
Numeric value The last row number. The numbering starts from 1.
Variables produced
Argument
Type
Description
EmptyCellColumnIndex
Numeric value The index of the column the first empty cell is found.
EmptyCellRowIndex
Numeric value The index of the row the first empty cell is found.
EmptyCells
Datatable The list of empty cells found.
Exceptions
Exception
Description
Get empty cells failed
Indicates a problem retrieving the empty cells from the worksheet.
Known limitations
Using Excel files synchronized through OneDrive or SharePoint
Interaction with Microsoft Excel files that are contained in folders synchronized in OneDrive or SharePoint might result in an erroneous flow. Power Automate for desktop utilizes COM objects for Excel interactions. OneDrive and SharePoint aren't fully compatible with Excel instances launched through COM.
For this reason, when you try to open an Excel file stored under a OneDrive or SharePoint directory, you might encounter a file not found error. To resolve this issue, use one of the following workarounds:
Workaround 1
Make a local copy of the respective Excel file.
Modify the local copy of the Excel file using Power Automate for desktop's Excel automation actions.
Override the Excel file copy synchronized through OneDrive/ Sharepoint with the local copy that includes the latest changes.
Workaround 2
Note
This workaround can be used in general when the Launch Excel action fails to execute.
Open a new Excel instance using the Run application action. Make sure that you provide enough wait time between actions, allowing the Excel process to load completely, including any add-ins.
Use the action Attach to Excel to attach to the new process.
