Microsoft Power Platform includes Power Apps, Power Automate, and Power BI, enabling developers to build end-to-end business solutions. Power Automate cloud flows and real-time workflows are instrumental in creating automation solutions that can streamline and enhance business processes. When preparing for the PL-400 Microsoft Power Platform Developer exam, understanding these components is essential.
Power Automate Cloud Flows
Power Automate cloud flows is a service for automating business tasks and processes across your data and services. Cloud flows make it easier to automate repetitive tasks such as sending weekly updates, responding to approval requests, or synchronizing data between systems.
To design a cloud flow, you first identify the trigger for the flow, whether it’s a specific event like receiving an email, or a schedule like the end of the week. You then specify the actions that the flow should perform, such as sending an email, updating a record in a database, or posting a message to a chat room.
Example: Automate a weekly sales report.
Trigger: Every week on Monday
Action 1: Retrieve sales data from database
Action 2: Create report from sales data
Action 3: Send report via email
Real-Time Workflows
Real-time workflows in Microsoft Dynamics 365 are additional tools to automate business processes. They run immediately (synchronously), in contrast to cloud flows which run in the background (asynchronously).
Real-time workflows can be configured to start when a record is created, updated or deleted, or when a status changes. They can create, update or delete records, assign records, and send emails.
Example: Update a “Total Orders” field when a new order is created.
Trigger: Order record is created
Action 1: Retrieve count of orders related to the same customer
Action 2: Update “Total Orders” field on the Customer record
Comparison: Power Automate Cloud Flows vs Real-Time Workflows
| Factor | Power Automate Cloud Flows | Real-Time Workflows |
|---|---|---|
| When do they run | Asynchronously (in the background) | Synchronously (immediately) |
| What can trigger them | A wide range of events or a schedule | Record creation, update, deletion, or status change |
| Actions they can perform | Very extensive, including interacting with other services | Limited to operations involving records and emails |
In summary, Power Automate cloud flows and real-time workflows provide effective ways for developers to automate tasks and processes in the Microsoft Power Platform. Understanding their differences and how to use them is important for the PL-400 exam. Whether you’re automating weekly reports with cloud flows or updating related records in real time, these tools can enhance efficiency and effectiveness in your business solutions.
Practice Test
True or False: You cannot create real-time workflows using Power Automate.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Real-time workflows are a type of process available for automation in Power Automate. They are instant and can run immediately in response to record changes or deletions.
Which of these can be automated using Power Automate cloud flows?
- a) SMS alerts
- b) Email notifications
- c) Other Microsoft apps
- d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: Power Automate allows automating actions across various applications including Microsoft apps, emails, and even sending alerts like SMS.
True or False: You can make a Power Automate cloud flow run only during a certain time of day.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Power Automate allows creating flows that only run only during specific times or days.
Power Automate cloud flows can run when data changes in which of the following supported data sources?
- a) SQL Server
- b) SharePoint
- c) Common Data Service (CDS)
- d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: All these mentioned sources are supported by Power Automate to trigger flows when data changes.
Which is not a trigger type in Power Automate?
- a) Scheduled
- b) Automated
- c) Manual
- d) Temporary
Answer: d) Temporary
Explanation: The Power Automate offers three trigger types: Scheduled, Automated and Manual. There is no trigger type called “Temporary”.
True or False: When a real-time workflow fails, the main operation which provoked it does not fail.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: If a real-time workflow fails, the main operation that provoked it fails as well, and all changes are rolled back.
The Power Automate tool was previously known as:
- a) FlowRefresh
- b) Microsoft Flow
- c) PowerSuite
- d) FlowAutomate
Answer: b) Microsoft Flow
Explanation: Power Automate was previously known as Microsoft Flow before being rebranded.
Can Power Automate Cloud flows be utilized to connect to on-premises data sources?
- a) Yes
- b) No
Answer: a) Yes
Explanation: Power Automate provides a data gateway that makes it possible to connect with on-premises data sources.
Power Automate mainly offers ______ types of flows.
- a) 3
- b) 2
- c) 4
- d) 5
Answer: c) 4
Explanation: Power Automate offers four main types of flows: cloud flows, desktop flows, business process flows, and AI Builder models.
True or False: Real-time workflows in Power Automate can be executed by a system user.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Real-time workflows can indeed be executed by a system user, either by being started by them, or by having them carry out a particular action that triggers the workflow.
Power Automate’s ability to form integrated solutions is mainly due to its:
- a) Cost
- b) Easy-to-use interface
- c) Connectivity with a large number of services
- d) Popularity
Answer: c) Connectivity with a large number of services
Explanation: Power Automate is known for its high connectivity, with over 300+ built-in connectors for various cloud and on-premises services, making it a valuable tool for forming integrated solutions.
Interview Questions
What is Power Automate in the context of Microsoft Power Platform?
Power Automate is a service provided by Microsoft Power Platform that helps users create automated workflows between applications and services. It assists in the synchronization of files, receiving notifications, collecting data, and more.
What types of workflows can be created with Power Automate?
With Power Automate, users can create cloud flows, desktop flows, and business flows. Cloud flows automate processes and tasks across different internet-based services. Desktop flows simulate human interaction with systems and software. Business flows are more extensive and often involve human intervention.
What is a cloud flow in Power Automate?
A cloud flow in Power Automate is a type of workflow that automates and optimizes processes and tasks across various internet-based services without human intervention.
What are real-time workflows in Microsoft Power Platforms?
Real-time workflows are a type of process in Microsoft Power Platforms that instantly runs to automate data operations, like create, update, assign, or delete, in response to selected system events.
How is a real-time workflow different from a background (asynchronous) workflow?
A real-time workflow runs immediately after a particular event occurs, whereas a background workflow runs in the background without any immediate notice to the user. They’re automatically queued by the CRM platform and are usually processed at scheduled intervals.
Can Power Automate be used to send push notifications to mobile devices?
Yes, Power Automate can be used to send push notifications to mobile devices. This can be done by creating a cloud flow that listens for a specific trigger action and sends a notification to a specified device when the trigger event occurs.
How can you handle errors in Power Automate flows?
Errors in Power Automate flows can be managed by implementing error handling steps such as ‘Configure run after’, which enables the flow to proceed after certain conditions are met, and ‘Scope’, which can provide a catch block for grouped actions.
What is a connector in the context of Power Automate?
In the context of Power Automate, a connector is a proxy or a wrapper around an API that allows underlying services to talk to the Power Automate. Microsoft provides several connectors for common services and applications like Azure, SharePoint, Dynamics 365, etc.
Can custom connectors be created in Power Automate?
Yes, custom connectors can be created in Power Automate, allowing users to connect to any publicly available API.
What triggers a cloud flow in Power Automate?
A cloud flow in Power Automate can be triggered by a variety of events, such as the creation of a new record in a database, an update to an existing record, a specific date or time, or even on a recurring schedule.
Are there any limitations when running Power Automate cloud flows?
Yes, there are certain limitations depending on the type of account a user has. For instance, there’s a limit to how many runs per month a user can perform, and there might be restrictions on how often a flow can execute.
Is testing a Power Automate cloud flow important?
Yes, testing a Power Automate cloud flow is crucial before deploying it, to ensure that the flow works as expected and all errors are addressed.
Can Power Automate cloud flow use Robotic Process Automation (RPA)?
Yes, Power Automate cloud flow can leverage RPA capabilities to automate repetitive tasks that do not have APIs or connectors for automation.
Does Microsoft offer templates for creating Power Automate cloud flows?
Yes, Microsoft offers a variety of templates to get started with creating cloud flows in Power Automate. These templates can be used as-is, or can be customized according to user needs.
Can Power Automate interact with on-premises systems?
Yes, Power Automate can interact with on-premises systems through what is known as an on-premises data gateway, allowing it to connect with local databases or other local services.
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