Among its offerings, Power Automate is a versatile tool that helps in creating workflows directly from your desktop. In preparing for the PL-100 Microsoft Power Platform App Maker exam, learning to create a desktop flow for personal use is indispensable. So, how does one create a desktop flow? Follow the steps below:
1. Preparation:
Before you start crafting your desktop flow, you need to have Microsoft Power Automate Desktop (PAD). PAD is a tool that can automate Windows and web-based tasks directly from your desktop. Also, identify the exact steps you need to automate. Having a clear flow structure will help in smooth automation.
2. Launch PAD and Create a Flow:
Open PAD and select + New Flow. Enter an appropriate name for your flow and click Create.
3. Build Your Flow:
To build your flow, start adding actions for each step of the process you want to automate. There’s a list of actions you can choose from on the left side under the “Action Catalogue”. For example, if you are automating a process in Excel, you might choose actions like “Excel Launch”, followed by steps like “Select Cell”, “Write Cell”, and “Save Workbook”.
Below is an example of how you can use actions to automate an Excel process:
ACTION: Launch New Excel
PARAMETERS:
Excel Instance Name: MyExcel
Replay: No
ACTION: Activate Workbook
PARAMETERS:
Excel Instance Name: MyExcel
Workbook Path: My Documents\MyWorkbook.xlsx
ACTION: Select Cell
PARAMETERS:
Excel Instance Name: MyExcel
Cell Reference: A1
ACTION: Write Cell
PARAMETERS:
Excel Instance Name: MyExcel
Cell Value: “New Value”
Cell Reference: A1
ACTION: Save Workbook
PARAMETERS:
Excel Instance Name: MyExcel
Here, each action represents a step you would manually accomplish, and the parameters define the specifics of the action.
4. Run Your Flow:
After building your flow, test it by clicking on Run. The flow will run on your desktop, automating the steps you programmed.
5. Save and Share Your Flow:
After tested and content with your flow’s performance, save it. If you need to share the automation with others, you can upload it to the Power Automate cloud and share the link with colleagues.
The table below summarizes the flow creation process:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Prepare |
| 2 | Launch PAD and Create a Flow |
| 3 | Build Your Flow |
| 4 | Run Your Flow |
| 5 | Save and Share Your Flow |
Creating desktop flows is a practical skill for any power platform app maker. It paves the way for efficiency and productivity in personal and professional tasks, and prepares you well for the PL-100 exam. So, roll up your sleeves, start creating your desktop flows, and experience the power of automation.
Practice Test
A Desktop flow in Power Automate is a kind of automated process that interacts with desktop applications.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: A Desktop flow is indeed an automation process that interacts with desktop applications. It is primarily used in automating legacy systems and manual processes that are not web-based.
Desktop flows can only execute processes on local machines.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Desktop flows can execute both on local machines and on virtual machines through the use of attended or unattended robotic process automation (RPA) runs.
Which of the following are necessary to create a desktop flow for personal use in Microsoft Power Automate? (Select all that apply)
- Power Automate Desktop
- Windows 10
- Virtual Machine
- Microsoft Office
Answer: Power Automate Desktop, Windows 10
Explanation: To create a desktop flow, you need to have Power Automate Desktop installed on a Windows 10 system.
You can convert a recorded desktop flow into an unattended desktop flow directly.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: To convert a recorded desktop flow into an unattended flow, you must create an unattended flow first and then replicate the logic of the recorded flow.
You can run a Desktop flow on a machine without installing Power Automate Desktop.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Power Automate Desktop needs to be installed on the machine where the desktop flow will be run.
With Power Automate Desktop, you can automate tasks that involve ______.
- Mouse clicks
- Keyboard Input
- User interactions with GUI
- All of the above
Answer: All of the above
Explanation: Power Automate Desktop can automate tasks that involve mouse clicks, keyboard input, and user interactions with a graphical user interface (GUI).
You cannot publish a Desktop flow to the cloud in Power Automate.
- True
- False
Answer:False
Explanation: You can publish a Desktop flow to the cloud in Power Automate. This facilitates the management, sharing, and running of the flow from anywhere.
The Power Automate app maker exam (PL-100 Microsoft Power Platform App Maker) includes creating desktop flows.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation:The PL-100 Microsoft Power Platform App Maker certification exam measures a candidate’s ability to perform technical tasks like creating apps, automating workflows, and creating desktop flows.
To create a desktop flow, you must have administrative rights on your computer.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: To install Power Automate Desktop and thus create a desktop flow, you must have administrative rights on your computer.
Desktop flows cannot integrate with other Microsoft Power Platform components like Power BI and Power Apps.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Desktop flows can seamlessly integrate with other Microsoft Power Platform components like Power BI, Power Apps, and other cloud flows to extend their capabilities.
Interview Questions
What is Microsoft Power Platform?
Microsoft Power Platform is a suite of business intelligence, app development, and app connectivity software applications.
What is a desktop flow in Microsoft Power Automate?
A desktop flow is a type of flow in Microsoft Power Automate that allows you to automate repetitive desktop processes, with the use of Robotic Process Automation (RPA).
How do desktop flows help in enhancing personal productivity?
Desktop flows automate repetitive and time-consuming tasks, hence freeing up the user’s time and allowing them to focus on more important activities.
Can you record steps for the desktop flow directly from your desktop?
Yes, steps for the desktop flow can be recorded directly from the desktop using Power Automate Desktop.
What is Power Automate Desktop?
Power Automate Desktop is a visual application specifically designed for creating desktop flows.
How do you create a desktop flow in Power Automate Desktop?
You can create a desktop flow in Power Automate Desktop by either recording the steps directly or by manually adding and organizing actions using the Power Automate Desktop console.
What are the different types of inputs that can be used in a desktop flow?
Various types of inputs can be used in a desktop flow, including, but not limited to, keyboard inputs, mouse clicks, and user interface (UI) interactions.
What is UI flow in Microsoft Power Automate?
UI flow in Microsoft Power Automate is a feature that enables you to automate repetitive tasks in Windows and Web applications.
What are the prerequisites for creating a desktop flow?
You must have Power Automate Desktop installed on your system, and the applications that you want to automate should also be installed and accessible.
Can you schedule a desktop flow?
Yes, desktop flow can be scheduled and run unattended using Power Automate.
Where can you manage and monitor your desktop flow?
You can manage and monitor your desktop flow from the Power Automate web portal.
Can you share a desktop flow with others?
Yes, it’s possible to share a desktop flow with others using the Power Automate web portal.
How can you enhance error handling in desktop flow?
You can enhance error handling in a desktop flow by incorporating error handling actions and rules, validating inputs and outputs, and using automatic retries and delay tactics to manage temporary issues.
What is the relation between desktop flow and cloud flow in Power Automate?
Desktop flow and cloud flow are both types of flows in Power Automate designed to automate different types of tasks. Desktop flows focus on automation of tasks on personal desktop applications, while cloud flows orchestrate tasks based on triggering events or conditions primarily in cloud-based applications.
Is it possible to incorporate artificial intelligence in a desktop flow?
Yes, you can incorporate artificial intelligence in a desktop flow by using AI Builder, a feature in Power Automate platform for building and using machine learning models.
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