Whilst using SharePoint Designer to create a workflow I needed a way to check if a lookup column value was 'blank' or 'not blank'. This is not possible with Lookup type columns, but annoyingly and confusingly it
is possible with other data types.
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| Figure 1 |
SharePoint only provides two operator options on lookup columns "Equal" or "not Equals". The problem is SP Designer will not allow you to simply enter a comparison value of "" or "blank" or "null".
This trick is to convert your Lookup value into a different data type, a string variable.
Example: I have a List containing a column called Projects, which is a lookup to another List (of projects info).
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| Figure 2 |
As you can see in Figure 2: First put your lookup value into a string variable.
Then use the string in your 'if' statement. You can now check if you value 'is empty' or 'is not empty'.
I have a look up column in my library, i want to set the column default value as "-----" (blank nothing empty). How can we achieve this. Please suggest me.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this, I spent a good day in the hunt as to understand why it wasnt working. Many thanks
ReplyDeleteMerci merci merci !
ReplyDeleteMan! I like what you do from your shed. Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteThat is beautiful, I spent a whole afternoon trying to create ways of comparing to lookup table. Thank you
ReplyDeleteThank you , I spent a whole afternoon trying to do comparisons on a lookup column.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletethanks for the help
ReplyDeleteThank you
ReplyDeletethat's not possible with multi select lookup field , Is there similer way to do it
ReplyDeleteThanks in advannce
After using the "Set Workflow Variable" step, use "Replace Substring in String" as many times as needed to replace any special characters with a null string, then use Trim string. If the multi-select lookup field value is blank, your modified string variable should then equal null.
DeleteThanks, great help !!
ReplyDeleteThanks, great help !!
ReplyDelete