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Unique Identifiers for PDFs in PowerBI

The document discusses generating a unique identifier for PDF documents that move through different folders and have their file names changed as part of an invoice approval process. It proposes using Microsoft Flow to track the document path, status, and identifier in a database. A comment suggests creating a hash value for each PDF if its content does not change, to uniquely identify the document even as its name is modified.

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182 views2 pages

Unique Identifiers for PDFs in PowerBI

The document discusses generating a unique identifier for PDF documents that move through different folders and have their file names changed as part of an invoice approval process. It proposes using Microsoft Flow to track the document path, status, and identifier in a database. A comment suggests creating a hash value for each PDF if its content does not change, to uniquely identify the document even as its name is modified.

Uploaded by

jay
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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18/07/2021 Generating A Unique Identifier for PDF Documents Whose Names Will Change : PowerBI

 Search Reddit 

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Posted by u/[deleted] 2 years ago 

Generating A Unique Identifier for PDF


Documents Whose Names Will Change
A particular issues I've run into recently is being able to track our
invoices through our payment process.

The invoice is distributed via email, then added to a folder, and


moved by an admin from folder to folder as it goes through the
approval process.

Basically the steps are:

1. Received
2. Sent for Approval
3. Approved
[Link] into system

At Step 1. the PDF file can be named anything. Whatever the


scanner generates, whatever the vendor sent, etc.

At Step 2. The admin renames the invoice to have a Six Digit


Number-Six initials of the vendor name-Invoice number

It looks something like: 111222XXXYYY7777777

What I'm wondering is if it is possible to generate a unique identifier


for each PDF that will stick with the file as it's moved along the
process?

It would have to stay with the PDF file, through moving from folder
to folder AND after the file name is changed.

Off the top of my head, I don't see how it would work with PBI. But I
can't help but at least float it out there to see if someone may have
a suggestion or a launching point on how to tackle a task like this.

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18/07/2021 Generating A Unique Identifier for PDF Documents Whose Names Will Change : PowerBI

· 2y
 Search Reddit 
Just an Idea, but why don‘t you use Microsoft flow for this
process? Combine it with an database for path, status and an
unique identifier.

2 Share

· 2y

That's something i'm looking into. Haven't used flow at all,


tho. Any recommendations on preferred tuts to get
started?

1 Share

· 2y
Power BI Mod

Does the content of the PDF change? If not, you could create
a hash value for each file.

1 Share

· 2y

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