A clear understanding of this topic is essential for automating business processes and creating more efficient workflows.
Understanding Filter Conditions in Cloud Flows
Filter conditions allow you to filter the data that a flow receives. You can regulate the data to maintain a focus on relevant and crucial information. Instead of manually parsing through the data, filter conditions can help in setting a controlled environment where only needed information is processed.
For instance, you might set a filter condition in a cloud flow that monitors a SharePoint list. The flow could be set to trigger only when a new item that meets certain criteria is added, such as having a priority status of “High.” You can specify this condition through the following steps:
- Under the SharePoint trigger, click ‘Show advanced options.’
- In the ‘Filter Query’ box, input the condition like: Priority eq ‘High’
The filter language used is Open Data Protocol (OData), and ‘eq’ means ‘equals.’
Concurrency Settings in Cloud Flows
Concurrency settings allow you to adjust how many instances of a cloud flow can run simultaneously. The primary settings are ‘Degree of Parallelism’ and ‘Rate Limit.’
- Degree of Parallelism: Defines the maximum number of flow instances that can run at the same time.
- Rate Limit: Determines the number of flow runs that can start in a rolling five-minute schedule.
Suppose you have a cloud flow that executing long-running actions such as approvals or delays, you might want to increase the degree of parallelism. It would allow for multiple instances of the flow to operate concurrently, thus preventing bottlenecks in the process.
However, running too many instances of a flow concurrently can cause strain on resources and lead to throttling. That’s where the Rate Limit comes in. It helps you to ensure that flow runs are initiated in a controlled manner to prevent overwhelming your system.
To configure these settings:
- Inside the flow editor, find ‘Settings’ in the top-right corner.
- Under ‘Concurrency Control,’ move the ‘Control Concurrency’ slider on.
- Input your desired values for Degree of Parallelism and Rate Limit.
For example, you might set Degree of Parallelism to 25 and Rate Limit to 100.
| Ideal For | Risks | |
|---|---|---|
| Higher Degree of Parallelism | Long-running tasks, large data sets. | Overwhelm system, leading to throttling. |
| Lower Degree of Parallelism | Quick tasks, preserving system resources. | May cause bottlenecks in workflow. |
| Higher Rate Limit | Large bursts of flow runs. | Strain on system resources. |
| Lower Rate Limit | Steady, controlled flow runs. | May slow down overall process throughput. |
Finding the balance between these settings will be entirely dependent on your specific requirements and workflow dynamics.
In summary, filter conditions and concurrency settings play crucial roles in customizing and controlling your automated workflows in Microsoft Power Automate. Understanding how to configure and manage these settings will significantly enhance your RPA development skills and readiness for the PL-500 exam.
Practice Test
True/False: The filter conditions in cloud flows adjust which items a flow runs on.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: The purpose of filter conditions in cloud flows is to select the relevant subset of items that the flow will act upon.
What can you use to limit the number of times a flow runs at once to prevent the service from becoming overwhelmed?
- A. Flow cushions
- B. Flow limits
- C. Concurrency Controls
- D. Flow brakes
Answer: C. Concurrency Controls
Explanation: Concurrency Controls function to limit the instances of flow thereby preventing overloading of the service.
True/False: Concurrency control affects performance but does not prevent rate limit exceeded errors.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Concurrency control not only impacts performance by limiting the number of instances that run at the same time but it also helps to avoid rate limit exceeded errors.
Which of the following are settings for the degree of parallelism (DoP) configuration?
- A. Fixed Values
- B. Variable Values
- C. Both A & B
- D. None of the above
Answer: A. Fixed Values
Explanation: The DoP configuration uses fixed values to determine the maximum concurrent runs.
True/False: The filter conditions in cloud flows are based on SQL language.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: The filter conditions in cloud flows are based on the OData System Query Options.
What formula defines the number of instances that can run in parallel for flow concurrency?
- A. Threshold + Degree of Parallelism (DoP)
- B. Threshold – Degree of Parallelism (DoP)
- C. Threshold * Degree of Parallelism (DoP)
- D. Threshold / Degree of Parallelism (DoP)
Answer: A. Threshold + Degree of Parallelism (DoP)
Explanation: The formula used to calculate the number of instances that can run parallel is the sum of the threshold and the DoP.
Which of the following Power Automate operators can be used in a filter condition?
- A. LessThan; StartsWith
- B. LargerThan; EndsWith
- C. Equals; DivideBy
- D. MultiplyBy; MoreThan
Answer: A. LessThan; StartsWith
Explanation: LessThan and StartsWith are among the available Power Automate operators for filter conditions.
True/False: Configuring concurrency only affects future runs and changes to the run history will not be made.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Changes in concurrency configuration do not apply to past runs, but will affect future executions of the flow.
Concurrency in Power Automate determines ________________.
- A. the maximum number of flow runs that can occur concurrently
- B. the minimum number of flow runs that should occur concurrently
- C. the exceptional number of flow runs that should occur concurrently
- D. the average number of flow runs that should occur concurrently
Answer: A. the maximum number of flow runs that can occur concurrently
Explanation: Concurrency in Power Automate controls the maximum number of flow runs that can occur concurrently.
True/False: The degree of parallelism can be set greater than the set limit, regardless of the plan you are on.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: The degree of parallelism is determined by the plan you are on and cannot be configured to exceed the set limit.
In Power Automate, it’s possible to configure filter conditions using ________________.
- A. OData System Query Options
- B. SQL Queries
- C. Python Scripts
- D. Excel Formulas
Answer: A. OData System Query Options
Explanation: Power Automate uses the OData System Query Options to configure filter conditions in cloud flows.
What’s the maximum limit of flow runs that can occur at once in Power Automate per environment?
- A. 20
- B. 50
- C. 30
- D. 60
Answer: B. 50
Explanation: The maximum number of flow runs that can occur concurrently per environment in Power Automate is
Does configuring filter conditions on a trigger support the ‘not equals’ operator?
- A. Yes
- B. No
Answer: A. Yes
Explanation: The configuration of filter conditions in Power Automate does support the ‘not equals’ operator.
True/False: In building expressions, the ‘Null’ value represents an unknown or missing value.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: In expressions, ‘Null’ is used to signify an unknown or missing value.
What’s the value of the concurrency control delay parameter if it’s not specified?
- A. 0 seconds
- B. 1 second
- C. 2 seconds
- D. 5 seconds
Answer: A. 0 seconds
Explanation: If the delay parameter is not specified for flow concurrency control, Power Automate uses the default value of 0 seconds.
Interview Questions
What is the purpose of filter conditions in cloud flows?
Filter conditions in cloud flows are used to restrict or specify the data that is returned by an action.
How do you configure filter conditions in cloud flows?
Filter conditions in Microsoft Power Automate are configured within the flow’s settings. These typically come in the form of OData filters or direct action properties.
What is concurrency control in a cloud flow?
Concurrency control in a cloud flow defines the number of instances of the flow that can run at the same time. It helps to manage resource usage and prevent overloads.
How can you configure concurrency control in a cloud flow?
Concurrency control can be configured in the settings of each action in the flow. You can set your degree of parallelism, and set a limit on the number of concurrent runs.
What is the primary reason to configure the degree of parallelism in cloud flows?
Configuring the degree of parallelism allows you to dictate how many instances of a specific step within a flow can run in parallel. It mainly helps in managing and controlling resources and enhancing performance.
What is an OData filter query in the context of Microsoft Power Automate?
An OData filter query is a powerful way to get specific data from a data source, limiting the amount of information returned by a flow action. It allows users to make the flow more efficient and query data in a more structured manner.
Why is using the filter array action in cloud flow beneficial?
The filter array action can be especially beneficial when working with large sets of data, as it filters the array down to contain only the items that meet the specified condition, making it faster and more efficient.
Are there limits on the number of concurrent flows that can be run in Microsoft Power Automate?
Yes, there is a limit to the number of concurrent flows which can be run in Microsoft Power Automate. This limit depends on the specific plan you are on.
What is the impact of setting a low degree of parallelism in cloud flows?
Setting a low degree of parallelism means fewer instances of a step or a flow can run simultaneously. This can slow down the flow execution, especially if you are dealing with a large amount of data or tasks.
Can you set concurrency control in triggers in cloud flows?
Yes, concurrency control can be applied to triggers in cloud flows. This is useful when you want to limit the rate at which the trigger fires and creates flow instances.
How can the filter condition “equals to” be represented in a cloud flow?
In a cloud flow, the filter condition “equals to” can be represented by “eq”. These are OData representation of the operators.
Can you set up multiple filter conditions in cloud flows?
Yes, you can set up multiple filter conditions in cloud flows. Multiple conditions can be combined using logical operators such as ‘and’ or ‘or’.
What is throttling in the context of cloud flows?
Throttling refers to the reduction in speed of the cloud flow execution when the number of requests exceeds the limits set by the concurrency control.
How can you handle exceptions raised due to exceeding concurrency limits in cloud flows?
Exceptions raised due to exceeding concurrency limits can be handled by putting exception handling mechanisms in place. Options include steps like “Configure run after” or using a Scope and setting it to “Run After has Failed or has Timed Out”.
How can I find currently running flows and their run history?
You can find currently running flows and their run history under the ‘Run history’ section of your Microsoft Power Automate dashboard.
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