Conditional logic adds to the flexibility of applications, allowing them to respond dynamically to different conditions. This article will guide you on how to implement conditional logic while preparing for the PL-100 Microsoft Power Platform App Maker exam.
Conditional Logic in Cloud Flow
In Microsoft Power Platform, the ‘Condition’ step is used to implement conditional logic. It is an essential part of cloud flow where you can divide the flow of actions based on specific conditional criteria. Predominantly, these conditions rely on an IF-THEN-ELSE sort of arrangement where if a certain condition is met, then particular actions are executed; otherwise, different actions are executed.
To add a condition in your Flow, you need to select ‘New step’, then ‘Control’ and finally ‘Condition’, where you can define the particular condition.
Implementing Basic Conditional Logic
Say we have a system where a user submits a form, and we’d like to implement some actions if a specific criterion is met. For instance, if the ‘Name’ field in the form has less than five characters, we wish to send an email to inform the user that the name is too short.
Here is how you might accomplish this using cloud flow:
- Trigger: Choose the trigger to initiate the flow; in this case, it would be ‘When a record is created.’
- Condition: Add the ‘Condition’ step, with formula
length(triggerBody()?['Name'])<5. - Action If True: If the condition returns true, we want the flow to send an email to the user. To do this, add an action in the 'If yes' branch. Choose 'Send email' as the action, and then set user email-id in the 'To' field and write the appropriate message.
- Action If False: If the name is not less than five characters, you might not want any action to be performed. So, you don't need to add any step under 'If no' branch.
! EX: Stop there. No continuation is expected after a conditional operator.
Implementing conditional logic is not just limited to checking numbers; it can also compare dates, strings, or more complex expressions.
Advanced Conditional Logic
Microsoft Power Platform also supports more complex conditional logical checks using operators like and/or. These can be very useful when multiple criteria need to be checked.
For example, if you need to check whether the 'Name' field has less than five characters and 'Email' field is not blank, you'd add an extra condition as follows:
- Condition 1:
length(triggerBody()?['Name'])<5 - Condition 2:
not(empty(triggerBody()?['Email'])) - Combined Condition: In the 'Condition' step, use the 'AND' function to combine the two conditions.
This advanced use showcases the flexibility and power of conditional logic in creating dynamic cloud flows.
In conclusion, conditional logic is a powerful tool for creating nuanced cloud flows. It allows your application to react dynamically, providing sophisticated responses based on specific conditions. Prepare for the condition-based logic portion of the PL-100 Microsoft Power Platform App Maker exam by getting hands-on experience and creating various scenarios. Don’t underestimate the power of practicing; it’s the key to acing this versatile and powerful platform.
Practice Test
True or False: Microsoft Power Platform allows you to implement conditional logic in your cloud flow.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: The Microsoft Power Platform indeed allows for the implementation of conditional logic in cloud flow. This allows you to select specific operations to be performed based on certain conditions.
Which tool within Microsoft Power Platform allows you to implement conditional logic for cloud flow?
- A. Power Automate
- B. Power Apps
- C. Power Sponsored
- D. Power BI
Answer: A. Power Automate
Explanation: Power Automate within Microsoft Power Platform is the tool that allows you to implement conditional logic for cloud flow.
True or False: Conditional logic in cloud flow cannot include more than one condition.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Conditional logic in cloud flow can include multiple conditions, which can operate either independently or in conjunction with other conditions to fulfill the logic.
Which of the following can be used to implement conditional logic in a cloud flow?
- A. Switch Case
- B. Scope
- C. Do Until
- D. All of the Above
Answer: D. All of the Above
Explanation: Switch Case, Scope, and Do Until are all methods to implement conditional logic in a cloud flow.
True or False: Conditional logic in a cloud flow can trigger another flow.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: The trigger action in a cloud flow can run another flow based on conditional logic set in the flow.
What type of expression is usually used in specifying a condition in a cloud flow?
- A. Boolean Expression
- B. String Expression
- C. Numeric Expression
- D. None of the Above
Answer: A. Boolean Expression
Explanation: Usually a Boolean Expression (true or false) is used in setting the condition for a cloud flow.
What does a Cloud flow trigger do?
- A. Sets conditions
- B. Executes a flow
- C. Monitors the flow
- D. None of the Above
Answer: B. Executes a flow
Explanation: The trigger in a cloud flow launches or executes the flow.
True or False: Different conditions can be executed simultaneously in cloud flow.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Different conditions cannot be executed simultaneously; they are executed in the defined sequential order.
What is the role of condition branches in cloud flow?
- A. Execute the conditions
- B. Define the conditions
- C. Control the flow sequence
- D. All of the Above
Answer: D. All of the Above
Explanation: The branches define the conditions, control the sequence in which they run, and execute the conditions when met.
True or False: The use of Power Apps is required to implement conditional logic in a cloud flow.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Power Apps is a part of Microsoft Power Platform but it is not required to implement conditional logic in a cloud flow. This can be done directly within Power Automate.
What does the “Scope” control do in a cloud flow?
- A. Sets conditions
- B. Executes a flow
- C. Group actions together
- D. None of the Above
Answer: C. Group actions together
Explanation: The ‘Scope’ control in a cloud flow is used to group actions together. It doesn’t set conditions or execute the flow by itself.
True or False: “Do until” control in a cloud flow continues to loop until a specified condition is met.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: The ‘do until’ control in a cloud flow will continue to loop until the condition specified in the control is met.
What type of expressions support conditional logic in a cloud flow?
- A. Only arithmetic expressions
- B. Only Boolean expressions
- C. Both arithmetic expressions and Boolean expressions
- D. None of the above
Answer: C. Both arithmetic expressions and Boolean expressions
Explanation: Conditional logic in a cloud flow can use either arithmetic expressions or Boolean expressions.
True or False: You can implement conditional logic within Power Automate without any coding knowledge.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Power Automate uses a visual interface that allows users to implement conditional logic in a user-friendly way, even with minimal or no coding knowledge.
Which of the following is not a logical function used to implement conditional logic in a cloud flow?
- A. Or
- B. And
- C. Not
- D. Exc
Answer: D. Exc
Explanation: ‘Exc’ is not a function for implementing conditional logic in a cloud flow. ‘Or’, ‘And’ and ‘Not’ are used to implement conditional logic in a cloud flow.
Interview Questions
What is conditional logic in terms of Microsoft Power Platform?
Conditional logic in Microsoft Power Platform is a tool that can make an app respond dynamically based on user inputs, accommodating complex scenarios with multiple outcomes.
How do you implement conditional logic in a cloud flow?
You can implement conditional logic in a cloud flow using “control” actions like “Condition”, “Switch”, and “Apply to each”. You set your criteria and then, based on those criteria, the flow will take different actions.
What does the “Condition” control do in Power Automate?
The “Condition” control in Power Automate allows you to compare a value in your flow to another value and, based on whether the comparison is true or false, different actions will be taken.
How does the “Switch” control differ from “Condition” in Power Automate?
The “Switch” control differs from the “Condition” control as it is used when there are three or more outcomes possible, mimicking a multiple if-else condition. It evaluates a specific value and based on that value, the respective ‘case’ branches get executed.
What function does “Apply to each” Control provide in Power Automate?
The “Apply to each” control in Power Automate is used when a specific action or a set of actions need to be performed on each element of an array or a collection.
What are the criteria to set up conditional logic in a flow in Power Automate?
The criteria to set up conditional logic in a flow in Power Automate involve expression or values field and conditions. The “Expression or Value” field is the value you want to evaluate. The “Conditions” will determine what action the flow takes based on the evaluation of that expression or value.
What types of operations can a ‘condition’ control perform in Power Automate?
In Power Automate, the ‘condition’ control can perform operations like equal to, not equal to, less than, greater than, less than or equal to, greater than or equal to, contains, and does not contain.
Can you nest conditions within another condition in Power Automate?
Yes, you can nest conditions within another condition in Power Automate. It allows creating complex decision logic within a flow.
How many ‘Case’ branches can a single ‘Switch’ control have in Power Automate?
In Power Automate, a single ‘Switch’ control can have 25 ‘Case’ branches.
Can Cloud flow perform batch operations on data in Power Automate?
Yes, with the “Apply to each” control, Cloud flow can perform batch operations on data. The control loops through each item in the array and performs set actions on each item.
How is the AND/OR grouping used in conditions in Power Automate?
The AND/OR grouping is used in conditions to define complex criteria. An AND group means all conditions inside the group must be true to meet the criteria. An OR group means any condition inside the group can be true to meet the criteria.
Can conditional logic be applied to button triggers in Power Apps?
Yes, using the Power Automate integration in Power Apps, conditional logic can be applied to button triggers or any other event triggers.
What are Boolean expressions in the context of conditional logic in Power Automate?
Boolean expressions in Power Automate are used to compare one value with another. The result of a Boolean expression is either true or false. That result is used to determine the course of action in conditional logic.
Is it possible to use expressions within conditional statements in Power Automate Cloud flows?
Yes, you can use expressions in the condition fields of your conditional statements to create complex logic.
Can you use variables inside a conditional statement in Power Automate?
Yes, you can make use of defined variables within a conditional statement in Power Automate to further enhance your flow’s logical processing.
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