Microsoft Excel sheet isn't updating unless it's open so my fusion scenario is stuck

[JennySt5]

Wondering if anyone else has seen this and has a workaround. I have a fusion scenario set to run whenever a new row is added to a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. The scenario runs fine, however I noticed that it wasn't seeing new rows (form submissions) in a timely manner.

I realized that the fusion scenario is working as expected, but unless I have the spreadsheet open and active (attached to a MS form) it isn't populating (or doesn't seem to).

Does anyone else know of a trick to keep the spreadsheet 'active' without having it open? Between trying to keep it open and our company security policies forcing me to log in after a certain amount of time this isn't an ideal way to keep my scenario running.

[IvanBebek-iX]

Hi @JennySt5 ,

First of I would have few questions:

1. Which module are you using to check if new row was added
2. Don't you anyway have to open spreadsheet to add a row thus resulting in spreadsheet being opened and sending updates to fusion?
3. Could you describe one scenario where it works and one where it does not?
4. Where is the Excel sheet stored?

Thank you for your time.

Best regards,
Ivan

[JennySt5]

I am using the MS "Watch Worksheet Rows" and as I mentioned, as long as I have the Excel spreadsheet open, my scenario works as expected, which is why I think it's an Excel issue.

Our spreadsheet is linked to an MS form, so when people fill out a form, their responses are being stored on the spreadsheet in a new row.

What seems to be happening is that the spreadsheet doesn't register the new row unless I have it active

[IvanBebek-iX · Accepted solution]

Hi @JennySt5,

The more I look into this this seems like it works how it is supposed to work and the actual issue happens because of MS Forms -> Excel sync logic. Per one of the blogs I have found in the Microsoft page https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoftformsblog/introducing-forms-data-sync-to-excel/403... 
Quote:

New responses sync to Excel

New responses will automatically sync when you open your Excel file for the web, allowing you to seamlessly continue your existing work.

---

Per this documentation you can set up automated workflows which should sync the date between Forms and Excel without the need to open the spreadsheet.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/setting-up-an-automated-workflow-between-microsoft-forms-... 

To confirm this claim, you can always do an update and prior to opening the sheet fetch the Data from Workfront and see if it is actually written or do you have to open the spreadsheet for it to sync. If you need to open for the data to actually sync please take a look into the automation topic. Hopefully this helps.

Best regards,
Ivan

[JennySt5]

thank you for looking into this. Sounds like my option is to leave the sheet open or use Power Automate to recreate it. I guess I'll see how many more responses we're expecting but I'll remember this for next time. I haven't used Power Automate yet as we only recently switched to Microsoft. Time to add it to my toolbox!