3 Various Ways to Copy Files in Power Automate

Recently, I had a project where I needed to automate file copying between different SharePoint libraries. Instead of manually moving files around, I used Power Automate to streamline the process. With just a few steps, I created a flow that automatically copies files when specific conditions are met, saving time and reducing errors.

In this tutorial, I will explain how to copy files in Power Automate.  Additionally, I will cover:

• Copy File Action in Power Automate
• Copy File From One SharePoint Library to Another using Power Automate
• Copy Files From One SharePoint Site to Another SharePoint Site using Power Automate
• How to Copy a File with a New Name using Power Automate

Copy File Action in Power Automate

Power Automate Copy file action allows you to automatically copy a file from one location to another within the same SharePoint site, OneDrive, or between different SharePoint sites. You specify the source file location and the destination where you want the file copied. This action helps automate tasks like creating backups and archiving documents.

The Power Automate Copy file action for SharePoint requires five key parameters:

• Current Site Address: This is the SharePoint site where the file you want to copy is located.
• File to Copy: The file path or the specific file within the SharePoint site that you want to copy.
• Destination Site Address: This is the SharePoint site to which you want to copy the file. It can be the same site or a different one.
• Destination Folder: The folder in the destination SharePoint site where you want to place the copied file.
• If another file is already there: Determines what happens if a file with the same name already exists at the destination. The options are:
  • Copy with a new name: Adds a unique identifier to the copied file’s name.
  • Fail this action: Stops the process with an error.
  • Replace: Overwrites the existing file.
  • Custom value: You can specify a different behavior based on your needs.

Copy File From One SharePoint Library to Another using Power Automate

Suppose you have a requirement where a file uploaded to a “Source Documents” library in SharePoint needs to be automatically copied to an “Approved Documents” library after manager approval. The goal is to have the same file available in both libraries for reference and tracking.

For this example, I created two SharePoint document library:

Now follow the below steps:

1. Create an automated cloud flow. Give the flow name and select the trigger When a file is created (properties only).  Also, provide the Site Address and Library Name.

2. Now, I will add an action, ‘Start and wait for an approval‘, which will send an email when a file is created in the SharePoint Library. Next, set the below-provided parameters:

• Approval type: Select an approval type as “Approve/Reject – First to respond” from the drop-down.
• Title: Enter the title field value.
• Assigned to: Please assign the email of the person who will approve/reject the request.
• Details: Enter the details for the requested, like below:

Dear Manager,

I hope this message finds you well.

A new document has been uploaded to the Source Documents library and requires your approval. Please review the document at your earliest convenience.

## Document Details

**Document Name**: @{triggerBody()?['{Name}']}
**Uploaded By**: @{triggerBody()?['Author/DisplayName']}
**Upload Date**: @{triggerBody()?['Created']}
**Document Link**: [Click Here](@{triggerBody()?['{Link}']})

## Actions Required

Click Approve to move the document to the Approved Documents library.
Click Reject if the document does not meet the required standards.

3. Now, we will add the Condition action to check whether the leave request is approved or Rejected.

In this Condition action, select the Outcome (from Start and wait for an approval action) value equal to Approve.

4. Then, Add the copy file action inside the true section and provide the below parameters:

• Current Site Address: The SharePoint site address where the file you want to copy is located.
• File to Copy: provide the identifier from dynamic content when a file is created.
• Destination Site Address: The SharePoint site to which you want to copy the file.
• Destination Folder: Select the destination SharePoint library
• If another file is already there: Selcte Replace, you can select as required.

Now click on Save and run the Flow manually. Once the flow runs, add a file to the SharePoint documents library Source Documents.

After the approver approves the request, copy the file from the SharePoint Documents library Source Documents to the SharePoint Approved Documents library.

This flow ensures that only approved files are copied to the new library, while rejected files remain in the “Source Documents” library.

Copy Files From One SharePoint Site to Another SharePoint Site Using Power Automate

I have two sites for this example: ‘PowerAutomateTutorial’ and ‘PowerBI.’ I want to copy any new file added to the Documents library in the ‘PowerAutomateTutorial’ site to the Documents library in the ‘PowerBI’ site.

Now follow the below steps:

1. Create an automated cloud flow. Give the flow name and select the trigger When a file is created (properties only).  Also, provide the Site Address and Library Name.

2. Then, Add the copy file action inside the true section and provide the below parameters:

• Current Site Address: Select the SharePoint site address, in my case PowerAutomateTutorial.
• File to Copy: provide the identifier from dynamic content when a file is created.
• Destination Site Address: The SharePoint site to which you want to copy the file, in my case PowerBI.
• Destination Folder: Select the destination SharePoint library
• If another file is already there: Selcte Replace, you can select as required.

Now click on Save and run the Flow manually. Once the flow runs, add a file to the SharePoint documents library Documents from the PowerAutomateTutorial site.

After the flow successfully goes to the Power BI Document library, then, you can see the file successfully copied.

Copy File with New Name using Power Automate

I will show you how to copy a file with a new name. For this, I’m using the flow mentioned above. If you haven’t created it yet, you can do so. Then, edit the flow and select the ‘Copy file’ action. In the ‘If another file is already there’ parameter, choose ‘Copy with a new name,’ as shown in the screenshot below.

Now, click ‘Save’ and run the flow manually. Once the flow runs, add the same file from the Power BI document library to the SharePoint documents library, which contains files from the PowerAutomateTutorial site.

After the flow successfully goes to the Power BI Document library, you can see the file successfully copied with a different name.

I explained how to automate file copying between different SharePoint libraries using Power Automate in this tutorial. The “Copy file” action allows you to quickly move files from one location to another within SharePoint or between different sites.

I also covered how to set up conditions for approval, copy files with a new name, and handle scenarios where a file with the same name already exists.

Related Power Automate tutorials:

• Copy File From Network Drive to SharePoint Using Power Automate
• Create CSV Table From Excel File Using Power Automate
• Create a Zip File Using Power Automate
• Convert SharePoint List Item to PDF Using Power Automate
• Get All SharePoint List Items in Power Automate

Bijay Kumar

After working for more than 18 years in Microsoft technologies like SharePoint, Microsoft 365, and Power Platform (Power Apps, Power Automate, and Power BI), I thought will share my SharePoint expertise knowledge with the world. Our audiences are from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, etc. For my expertise knowledge and SharePoint tutorials, Microsoft has been awarded a Microsoft SharePoint MVP (12 times). I have also worked in companies like HP, TCS, KPIT, etc.