Child cloud flows are basically sub-flows or flows within a main flow. They come in handy when you need to break down complex processes into small, manageable pieces. They help you to structure your automation by allowing you to reuse the flow for different situations.
Creating a Child Cloud Flow
To create a child cloud flow, follow these steps:
- From the Power Automate portal, click on +Create, select Instant cloud flow, provide a name, and choose a trigger for the flow, say manually trigger a flow;
- Define what the flow should consider, for example, fetch data from an external source, modify it, and then return it for further processing;
- When the flow is complete save it, this will make it available for use in main (parent) flow.
It’s important to understand that while your child cloud flow can consist of multiple actions and processes, it needs to have a clear defined input and output. For this is how data will be transferred back and forth between your main flow and the child cloud flow.
Using a Child Cloud Flow
Once the child cloud flow is ready, you can call it within the main cloud flow by doing the following:
- Inside your main cloud flow, in the action step, find and select ‘Run a child flow’;
- In the ‘Flow’ dropdown, pick the child cloud flow you created;
Passing Data to a Child Cloud Flow
To pass data to your child cloud flow, add input parameters inside the child cloud flow. You can then input data to these parameters when calling the child cloud flow in your main flow.
- In the child flow, add a manual trigger and define text inputs under it;
- Back in the main flow where you’ve called the child flow, you can directly pass the data you want as the input parameter.
Returning Data Back From a Child Cloud Flow
Once the child cloud flow has processed the data, it can be returned back to the main flow. This is again done using the manual trigger in the child cloud flow.
Here’s how:
- In the child cloud flow, add a ‘Respond to a PowerApp or flow’ action at the end;
- Define the output parameters within the ‘Respond to a PowerApp or flow’ action;
- In the main flow, where the child flow is called, capture the output and use it for further processing.
Keep in mind that Power Automate allows you to create and manage multiple child flows within a main flow. This adds to the flexibility and robustness of your automations. Additionally, child flows provide a neat way to compartmentalize and manage your processes.
In Conclusion
Child cloud flows are a powerful feature in Power Automate. By understanding how to create and use them, and by mastering data passing techniques, you can manage your workflows better and make them more efficient. As you practice building these flows, you’ll find that they can simplify even complex automations and make your work as a PL-500 Microsoft Power Automate RPA Developer much easier.
Practice Test
True or False: One cloud flow can trigger another flow as a child flow.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: In Microsoft Power Automate, one cloud flow can trigger another flow known as a child flow. This can be used to reuse flows and create modular designs.
Multiple Select: Which of these are necessary for managing child cloud flows?
- A) Parent flow
- B) Child flow
- C) Appropriate permissions
- D) Network connectivity
Answer: A, B, C
Explanation: To manage child cloud flows, you need a parent flow, a child flow, and appropriate permissions to access and manage respective flows.
True or False: You cannot pass data from a parent flow to a child flow.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: You can pass data from a parent flow to a child flow using parameters or inputs in Microsoft Power Automate.
Single Select: What is not possible with a child flow in Power Automate?
- A) Processing data from the parent flow
- B) Sending notifications
- C) Passing data back to the parent flow
- D) Running independently from the parent flow
Answer: D
Explanation: Child flows cannot run independently from the parent flow. They are called by a parent flow to execute certain tasks.
True or False: Child flows can only be used with a premium plan of Power Automate.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Child flows are a premium feature and require a premium plan of Power Automate to use.
Multiple Select: Which of the following can be accomplished using a child cloud flow?
- A) Fetching records
- B) Updating records
- C) Sending back data to the parent flow
- D) None of the above
Answer: A, B, C
Explanation: A child cloud flow in Power Automate can fetch and update records. It can also send data back to the parent flow.
True or False: Shared expressions cannot be used as parameters between parent and child flows.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Shared expressions can be used as parameters to exchange data between parent and child flow in Microsoft Power Automate.
Single Select: What is used to return data back from a child flow to a parent flow?
- A) Variables
- B) Strings
- C) Arrays
- D) Responses
Answer: D
Explanation: Responses are used in Power Automate to return data back from a child flow to a parent flow.
True or False: Child flows and parent flows must be in the same environment.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: In Power Automate, both parent and child flows must be in the same environment in order to interact.
Multiple Select: What are the benefits of using child cloud flows in Power Automate?
- A) Modularity
- B) Reusability
- C) Efficiency
- D) Increase cost
Answer: A, B, C
Explanation: Using child cloud flow in Power Automate provides modularity and reusability which increases process efficiency. It does not necessarily increase cost.
True or False: You can use a child flow in multiple parent flows.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: A child flow can be reused in multiple parent flows in Microsoft Power Automate.
Single Select: What kind of actions cannot be used in child flows?
- A) HTTP request
- B) Economic models
- C) Power Apps triggers
- D) Actions that need triggers
Answer: D
Explanation: Actions that require triggers, such as HTTP requests, cannot be used in child flows as they are not standalone flows.
True or False: Child flow actions run in the context of the user who runs the parent flow.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Child flow actions run in the context of the user who executes the parent flow. Therefore, the user must have necessary permissions to run the child flow.
Multiple Select: Which of the following are allowed modes to run a child flow?
- A) In a solution
- B) Outside a solution
- C) On demand
- D) Scheduled
Answer: A, C, D
Explanation: Child flows in Power Automate can run in a solution, on demand, or scheduled. Running them outside a solution, however, is not supported.
True or False: Parent and Child flows must be shared with the same users.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: For users to run the parent flow which calls the child flow, both the parent and child flow must be shared with the users.
Interview Questions
What is a child cloud flow in Microsoft Power Automate?
A child cloud flow in Microsoft Power Automate is a flow that is invoked or called from a main or parent flow. It allows parts of a workflow to be segmented into reusable components.
How can data be passed to a child cloud flow from a parent flow?
Data can be passed to a child cloud flow from a parent flow by using input parameters. These are created in the child flow and then passed values from the parent flow.
How do you return data from a child flow back to a parent flow?
Data can be returned from a child flow back to a parent flow using output parameters. These are defined in the child flow and can then be used in the parent flow.
Which action in Power Automate allows us to call a child flow?
The “Run a Child Flow” action in Power Automate allows us to call a child flow.
Are Child cloud flows available with all types of flows in Power Automate?
No, child-in-parent flows are only available for cloud flows, more specifically instant, automated, and scheduled cloud flows.
Can multiple flows call the same child flow at the same time?
Yes, child flows are designed to be reusable, meaning that multiple parent flows can call the same child flow at once.
Can a child flow call another child flow in Microsoft Power Automate?
Yes, a child flow can call another child flow. This is known as nesting.
What is the significance of input parameters in a child flow?
Input parameters in a child flow serve as data entry points for the parent flow to pass values. They help in performing tasks based on these values inside the child flow.
What is the purpose of output parameters in a child flow?
The purpose of output parameters in a child flow is to return data or results back to the parent flow after the child flow tasks are complete.
What are the limitations of using Child flows in Power Automate?
The main limitation is that child flows are available only with premium plans. Also, the depth of nested flows is limited to 5 and recursion is not supported, a child flow cannot directly or indirectly call itself.
How can error handling be done while using child cloud flows?
Child flow errors can be handled in the parent flow using error conditions and try-catch patterns. If the child flow throws an unhandled error, it will be propagated back to the calling parent.
How do you test a child flow individually?
You can test a child flow individually by creating a trigger at the beginning of the flow for testing purposes and then removing or disabling it later.
Can user interfaces be created in child flows?
No, child flows cannot contain any user interface elements or actions that require user interaction, such as approval actions.
Do child flows have their own run history?
Yes, independent run histories are maintained for each child flow. This allows you to monitor and troubleshoot each child flow individually.
What are the benefits of using child flows in Power Automate?
Child flows provide modularity, reusability, and maintainability to your workflows. By breaking down complex flows into smaller, reusable units, you can more easily manage and maintain your workflows.
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