When preparing for the PL-500 Microsoft Power Automate RPA Developer exam, one of the key things to be adept at is adding desktop actions to exit target applications. This plays an important role in successful task automation, as it ensures processes are clean and no system resources are unnecessarily used up. Without a proper exit routine, programs can continue running in the background, depleting your system’s processing power and memory. Thus, understanding how to add actions that gracefully exit targeted applications is essential.
Understanding Desktop Actions
In the context of Microsoft Power Automate, a desktop action is a defined set of instructions that automates processes taking place on a computer desktop. They act akin to macros, performing repetitive tasks without much manual input. These actions can interact with virtually any application on a computer, enabling them to carry out tasks, such as opening an application, inputting data, and of course, closing an application.
Implementing Exit Actions
When it comes to closing or exiting applications, there are different methods one can use, depending on the scenario.
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Close Window Action:
This is one of the most common ways to exit an application. This action works by simulating a click on the “Close” button of an application window.
Close Window(“Application Title”)
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Close Application Action:
This is a more forceful method, and should only be used when an application needs to be closed abruptly.
Close Application(“Application Process Name”)
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Inject Script Action:
This method is used to inject a script into a target application to close or exit from it.
Inject Script(“Application. quit();”)
Best Practices
When adding desktop actions to exit target applications, follow these best practices:
- It is recommended to always use the Close Window action first, as it allows the application to perform any necessary cleanup before closing.
- The Close Application action should only be used as a last resort, as it forcibly closes the application and does not allow for any cleanup operations.
- The Inject Script action should be used judiciously, as incorrect scripts could potentially crash the application or even the system.
Summary
Adding desktop actions to exit target applications effectively and gracefully is a skill in great demand for aspiring Microsoft Power Automate RPA Developers. Employing these methods will not only ensure seamless task automation but also protect the system resources from unnecessary use and potential crashes. As you learn more and gain experience, you’ll find the most efficient and effective ways to automate tasks, all while keeping your system’s best performance in mind.
Practice Test
True or False? It’s not possible to add desktop actions to exit from target applications using Microsoft Power Automate.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Microsoft Power Automate does allow RPA developers to add desktop actions and automate processes, including exiting from target applications.
Which of the following is the correct sequence of steps to add a desktop action in Microsoft Power Automate?
- a) Go to desktop flow > Add action > Select action > Complete form > Save
- b) Go to application > Add action > Select action > Complete form > Save
- c) Complete form > Go to application > Add action > Select action > Save
Answer: a) Go to desktop flow > Add action > Select action > Complete form > Save
Explanation: The correct path to add a desktop action is to go to the desktop flow, add an action, select the desired action, complete the action form, and then save it.
You can exit an application during a recorded Desktop flow.
- a) True
- b) False
Answer: a) True
Explanation: You can indeed exit an application during a recorded Desktop flow or manually use the ‘Close Window’ action based on your automation requirements.
Desktop actions in Microsoft Power Automate can be added to any application.
- a) True
- b) False
Answer: b) False
Explanation: Desktop actions in Microsoft Power Automate can only be added to compatible and supported applications.
What action should be used to close an application as part of a desktop flow in Power Automate?
- a) Shut Window
- b) Close Window
- c) End Process
- d) Exit Window
Answer: b) Close Window
Explanation: The ‘Close Window’ action should be used to end an application as part of a desktop flow in Microsoft Power Automate.
Desktop Flows in Microsoft Power Automate operate independently without any user interaction.
- a) True
- b) False
Answer: b) False
Explanation: While Desktop Flows can automate many tasks, they often need initial user input or interaction to run effectively.
You can add multiple exit actions in a single desktop flow in Microsoft Power Automate.
- a) True
- b) False
Answer: a) True
Explanation: You can add multiple ‘Close Window’ actions in a single desktop flow, shutting down multiple applications if required.
The ‘Close Window’ action requires to specify the application name in Microsoft Power Automate.
- a) True
- b) False
Answer: b) False
Explanation: The ‘Close Window’ action does not require the name of the application. It simply closes the active or last manipulated window.
A developer can add desktop actions to a desktop flow while it’s running in Microsoft Power Automate.
- a) True
- b) False
Answer: b) False
Explanation: Developers can’t add actions to a running desktop flow. The flow must be stopped before making any modifications.
True or False? Microsoft Power Automate allows RPA developers to automate processes, including launching and exiting target applications.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Microsoft Power Automate is designed to automate repetitive desktop tasks which include launching and exiting from applications.
Using the ‘Launch Application’ action in a Microsoft Power Automate desktop flow will automatically close the application after the task is complete.
- a) True
- b) False
Answer: b) False
Explanation: The ‘Launch Application’ does not automatically close the application. Developers must use the ‘Close Window’ action to close an application.
What is the primary purpose of adding desktop actions in Microsoft Power Automate flows?
- a) To reduce manual tasks
- b) For advanced programming
- c) To learn a new programming language
Answer: a) To reduce manual tasks
Explanation: The primary purpose of Microsoft Power Automate is to reduce repetitive and manual tasks for end users by automating them.
It is not necessary to save a desktop flow after adding in a desktop action in Microsoft Power Automate.
- a) True
- b) False
Answer: b) False
Explanation: The desktop flow should always be saved to secure all changes made, including added desktop actions.
Do you need administrator privileges to add desktop actions in Microsoft Power Automate?
- a) Yes
- b) No
Answer: b) No
Explanation: Only the proper RPA user permissions is required to create or modify automations. However, depending on the specific actions or applications, admin rights might be needed.
If you edit the desktop flow and add the Close Window action, the application will only close when the modified flow is saved in Microsoft Power Automate.
- a) True
- b) False
Answer: a) True
Explanation: Changes or actions added to the flow will only be executed the next time the flow is run after saving the modifications.
Interview Questions
What does RPA in Microsoft Power Automate stand for?
RPA in Microsoft Power Automate stands for Robotic Process Automation.
How can you exit a target application using desktop flows in Power Automate?
You can exit a target application by designing the desktop flow to end with an action that closes the application, such as a ‘Click’ action on the application’s “Close” or “Exit” button.
What is the purpose of adding a ‘Close window’ action to a desktop flow in Microsoft Power Automate?
Using the ‘Close window’ action in a desktop flow allows you to exit or close a target application as part of the automated process, ensuring that your automation cleanly finishes without leaving unnecessary applications open.
How do you ensure that the correct window is closed when using the ‘Close window’ action in Power Automate?
In Power Automate, when you add the ‘Close window’ action, you need to specify the window where this action will be applied. Make sure to give accurate naming to the windows inside Power Automate to ensure the correct window is closed.
What would happen if you forget to add an action to close the target application in your RPA flow?
If you don’t add any action to close the target application, the application will remain open after the RPA flow execution, which may consume unnecessary system resources.
Is it important to always close applications at the end of every desktop flow in Microsoft Power Automate?
While it’s not mandatory to close applications at the end of every desktop flow, it is generally a good practice to do so. This ensures unnecessary applications aren’t left open, thereby reducing system resource consumption.
Can you use the ‘Close application’ action in RPA to exit more than one target application?
Yes, you can use the ‘Close application’ action to exit from multiple applications. You just need to make sure to include the action at the end of the actions for each application in your flow.
Can you apply exit commands through keyboard actions in Power Automate’s desktop flow?
Yes, you can simulate keyboard actions to trigger exit commands in applications. For instance, you might configure a ‘Send keys’ action to simulate pressing Alt+F4, which is a commonly used command to close applications.
What is the use of UI automation in Microsoft Power Automate?
UI automation in Power Automate allows you to automate actions on user interfaces of various applications, which can include exiting or closing these applications.
Is it possible to add conditions in the desktop flow of Power Automate to determine if an application should be closed?
Yes, you can add conditional logic in your desktop flow to determine if an application should be closed or not. This can be based on specific outputs or results from previous actions in your flow.
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