Debugging is an essential aspect of all software development processes, including designing and executing automated workflows in Microsoft Power Automate RPA development. The platform features powerful and robust debugging options suitable for both cloud and desktop flows, thus making error resolution more manageable and more efficient. This article presents a deep dive into Power Automate’s debugging features as they relate to the PL-500 Microsoft Power Automate RPA Developer exam.
Debugging with Power Automate Cloud Flows
Cloud flows in Power Automate are typically used to automate business processes and tasks online. If errors occur during the execution of such tasks, the Debug tool in Power Automate provides you with an insight about the flow’s performance and the occurrence of the error. This can be incredibly useful when you’re troubleshooting your flows or tracking their output.
When a flow runs, each action’s inputs and outputs are recorded and are available to view in the run history. The errors can be found in the Flow Run History, which provides all the necessary details about the inputs, outputs, errors, and the start and end time of each action.
For instance, if an error occurs while sending an email using Outlook, you can simply navigate to the Flow Run History, choose the specific run, and click on the failed action. This will display the error details and provide suggestions to fix the issue:
Error: Invalid connection
Fix: Check if the connection settings are correct and the user has proper permissions. If required, re-establish the connection and try running the flow again.
Despite being highly efficient, the lack of step-through capabilities, where developers can execute one step at a time and inspect variables, is a significant downside.
Debugging with Power Automate Desktop Flows
Power Automate Desktop (PAD) provides a more traditional debugging experience. It provides several built-in features that help debug the Flows. For example, breakpoints, step over, step into, and step out functions make investigating issues more intuitive and straightforward.
On the Power Automate Desktop Console, you can set breakpoints at specific parts of your flow to pause execution. This can help you focus on specific stages of the flow. It is as simple as clicking on the section of your flow where you need to add the breakpoint.
Additionally, PAD provides three step modes:
- Step Into: Executes the next action in the flow. If the action is a subflow, the first action in the subflow is executed.
- Step Over: Executes the next action in the flow, skipping over subflows.
- Step Out: Continues the execution and stops at the next action following a subflow.
The Debug Logs in PAD provide details about each action executed during the debugging session. They offer comprehensive information about the start and end time of each action, the action type, and if any error occurred.
| Debugging Feature | Power Automate Cloud Flows | Power Automate Desktop Flows |
|---|---|---|
| Action Inputs & Outputs | Available | Available |
| Step-through | Not Available | Available |
| Breakpoints | Not Available | Available |
| Debug Logs | Available | Available |
| Run History | Available | Not Available |
In conclusion, Power Automate offers robust debugging features for cloud and desktop flows. Despite some limitations in the Cloud Flows like the lack of traditional step-through debugging options, they are still instrumental in investigating issues and perfecting workflow designs. Power Automate Desktop Flows, on the other hand, provides a more comprehensive debugging experience akin to traditional software development debugging, making it ideal for complex flows that require more detailed investigations. Certainly, understanding these debugging features is integral for any candidate preparing for the PL-500 Microsoft Power Automate RPA developer exam.
Practice Test
1) True or False: Power Automate desktop debugging features allow the execution of a flow in slow motion.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: This debugging feature is useful for observing each step’s inputs and outputs and for identifying and correcting errors.
2) In Power Automate, which of these features can help fix errors in flows?
- a) Error notifications
- b) Error/warning information contains the details on the occurrence of errors in the flow
- c) Both a and b
- d) None of the above
Answer: c) Both a and b
Explanation: Power Automate provides users with detailed error and warning information, in addition to notifications for error occurrences, to assist in resolving issues.
3) Which of these statements is incorrect about Power Automate Cloud flow debugging features?
- a) You cannot add breakpoints in Power Automate cloud flow.
- b) You can debug a run by checking the run history.
- c) You can make actions optional to prevent expected errors from stopping a flow.
- d) You can resume a flow run from a failed or canceled action.
Answer: a) You cannot add breakpoints in Power Automate cloud flow.
Explanation: Power Automate currently does not support adding breakpoints in Cloud flows.
4) True or False: Power Automate uses a feature called Error Analysis to facilitate debugging.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Error Analysis is used extensively within Power Automate to display the error hierarchy, aiding in the debugging process.
5) In Power Automate Desktop, it is feasible to run an entire flow in debug mode.
- a) True
- b) False
Answer: a) True
Explanation: Power Automate Desktop offers the ability to run the entire flow in debug mode, allowing you to diagnose and fix issues.
6) What debugging functionality is provided by Power Automate for a cloud flow?
- a) Error notifications
- b) Action tracing
- c) Replaying flows
- d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: Power Automate provides numerous functionalities for debugging cloud flows, including error notifications, action tracing, and replaying flows.
7) True or False: Power Automate Cloud flows replay feature allows you to replay a flow run using the same inputs as the original run.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: This feature can be very helpful in debugging certain issues as it replicates the exact conditions of the initial run.
8) Which debugging tool does not apply to Power Automate Desktop?
- a) Act on Errors
- b) Breakpoints
- c) Step Into
- d) Debug faster
Answer: a) Act on Errors
Explanation: Act on Errors is a Power Automate Cloud flow feature, not for Power Automate Desktop.
9) True or False: Error Analysis in Power Automate can help determine the root cause of an error.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Error Analysis provides a structured error hierarchy that can help analyze and determine the root cause of an error.
10) The Power Automate Desktop’s debug console can assist in:
- a) Watching the run of each action
- b) Checking variables
- c) Identifying errors
- d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: The debug console can assist with deep-dive debugging activities by performing all the listed tasks.
Interview Questions
What is the purpose of using the ‘Peek code’ feature in Power Automate debugging?
‘Peek code’ allows a developer to view the raw inputs and outputs of the actions directly in the flow. It helps to identify issues in the action parameters.
How does the ‘Watch variables’ in Power Automate flows debugging help in the debugging process?
‘Watch variables’ is a feature that lets developers monitor the values of variables in real-time as the flow runs. This is particularly useful for tracking changes and identifying unexpected values which may be causing issues.
What is the benefit of using ‘Tracked Properties’ in Power Automate cloud flows debugging?
‘Tracked Properties’ are a debugging tool which allow developers to add key-value pairs to a run history table for ease of testing and isolating issues in an automated flow.
When is it useful to use breakpoints while testing cloud and desktop flows?
Breakpoints are utilized in the debugging process to pause the execution of a flow at a specific action. This allows developers to inspect the state of a flow at a certain point in its operation, helping to identify where things may be going wrong.
What does the ‘Log-to-console’ feature in Power Automate desktop flow do?
‘Log to console’ records specific information or data in the console when the flow runs. Developers can analyze this console data during testing to uncover errors or issues.
What is the role of the ‘Test flow’ feature in the Power Automate debugging interface?
The ‘Test Flow’ feature allows developers to run the flow manually, using data from previous runs, or with customized data inputs. This lets developers simulate differing scenarios and tests conditions to uncover potential problems.
What is the ‘Error Details’ debugging feature in Power Automate?
‘Error Details’ provide specific information about any errors that occur during the execution of a flow. They include the error message and the location of the error within the flow, which can help developers diagnose and fix issues.
How does the ‘Step-through’ debug feature aid troubleshooting Power Automate flows?
The ‘Step-through’ debug feature lets developers execute an automated flow one action at a time, giving them control over the pace of execution and allowing them to inspect the output of each action.
How can developers save time while debugging using Power Automation’s Resubmission feature?
The Resubmission feature allows developers to retry a failed execution with the same trigger data. This saves time, as they do not need to manually replicate the failed scenario.
Can you see the run history of a Power Automate flow?
Yes, the run history of a Power Automate flow can be viewed in the ‘Run history’ pane. This shows each run’s status and duration, values passed to and from steps, and any failures that occurred.
What benefit does Power Automate’s error-checking feature provide for debugging?
Power Automate’s error-checking feature automatically identifies potential problems in a flow like missing required fields or incorrect expressions, helping in quick troubleshooting and rectifying errors.
What is the ‘Retry Policy’ option in Power Automate Debugging, and how does it work?
The ‘Retry Policy’ option influences how an action is retried when a transient failure occurs. Developers can adjust settings to automate retries, minimizing the impact of temporary errors and network interruptions.
What is the role of ‘Expressions’ in the context of debugging Power Automate flows?
Expressions can be used to manipulate data in Power Automate flows. When debugging, developers often use expressions to validate and format data, rectify anomalies, or transform data to match requirements.
How does Power Automate’s ‘Parallel branches’ feature help in debugging desktop flows?
‘Parallel branches’ run actions simultaneously in separate branches, which can aid in debugging by enabling developers to compare outputs from different branches to identify discrepancies or issues.
In Power Automate, what is signified by the ‘On failure’ action?
The ‘On failure’ action is triggered when an error occurs in the flow. It can be paired with other actions to send notifications or take remedial actions when an error is detected, aiding in prompt issue resolution.
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