Update Salesforce Record Connector can't handle custom Multi-Select Picklist field

Question

Update Salesforce Record Connector can't handle custom Multi-Select Picklist field

Anthony Whitford 5

I am using Copilot Studio to make an AI Agent. This agent updates an Account record in Salesforce. I am using the Salesforce Update Record (v3) connector.

Alas, my Update step is creating an error:

connectorPowerFxError Evaluating PowerFx expression resulted in error while invoking the connector : PVA.PatchItemV3 failed: PowerFxJsonException Expecting LazyRecord but received a String, in Institution_Types__c

In my Salesforce, the Institution_Types__c is a custom field that is a Multi-Select Picklist. Note that before I update the record, I am using the Get Account Record from Salesforce connector to get the current record. The Get Account Record is returning the Institution Types as an array.
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But then... (I'm not sure where the String is coming from -- it must be from Salesforce and internal to the Connector?)
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How can this be fixed?

Nivedipa-MSFT 4,251 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-01-12T05:00:11.6366667+00:00
Hello Anthony Whitford - Thanks for bringing this issue to our attention.
Salesforce multi-select picklists require a string separated by semicolons, not an array.

To resolve this, convert the array into a string before updating:

Join(Topic.Institution_Types__c, ";")

Insert a Set Variable node before the Update connector.

Assign the value: Join(Topic.Institution_Types__c, ";")

Reference this variable in the Update connector.

Could you please give this solution a try and let us know if the issue persists?
Nivedipa-MSFT 4,251 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-01-19T04:30:58.28+00:00

Hello Anthony Whitford - Could you please let me know if the suggestion above helped resolve your issue, or if you're still experiencing the problem?
Anthony Whitford 5 Reputation points

2026-01-30T22:11:49.1466667+00:00

I gave up using the "Update Salesforce Record" connector and instead used the "Salesforce - Send HTTP Request" connector -- for a few reasons. However, I do think that joining the array with a semi-colon is the answer -- I just would have expected the Connector to do that automatically.

Your answer

Nivedipa-MSFT 4,251 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-01-12T05:00:11.6366667+00:00

Hello Anthony Whitford - Thanks for bringing this issue to our attention.
Salesforce multi-select picklists require a string separated by semicolons, not an array.

To resolve this, convert the array into a string before updating:

Join(Topic.Institution_Types__c, ";")

Insert a Set Variable node before the Update connector.

Assign the value: Join(Topic.Institution_Types__c, ";")

Reference this variable in the Update connector.

Could you please give this solution a try and let us know if the issue persists?
Nivedipa-MSFT 4,251 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-01-19T04:30:58.28+00:00

Hello Anthony Whitford - Could you please let me know if the suggestion above helped resolve your issue, or if you're still experiencing the problem?
Anthony Whitford 5 Reputation points

2026-01-30T22:11:49.1466667+00:00

I gave up using the "Update Salesforce Record" connector and instead used the "Salesforce - Send HTTP Request" connector -- for a few reasons. However, I do think that joining the array with a semi-colon is the answer -- I just would have expected the Connector to do that automatically.