The first method entails using Power Automate to run your desktop flows, a process and approach handy when you want to run a flow as part of a broader automation strategy.
To run a desktop flow using Power Automate, you have to:
- Sign in to Power Automate.
- Go to the left side navigation pane, and click on “My flows”.
- Then choose the desktop flow you want to run.
- At the right side of the flow, click “Run”.
If you are creating a new flow, you can include a desktop flow in a cloud flow as an action. The desktop flow can take inputs and also return outputs. This process allows for interoperability with other Power Automate flow triggers and actions.
Method 2: Manual Execution
The second method is a manual execution that allows you to run a flow directly by clicking on it within Power Automate Desktop.
To do this, you simply need to:
- Open Power Automate Desktop.
- Click on the flow you want to run.
- Choose the “Run flow” option on the right side.
This method is most convenient if you’re testing the flow functionality or want to run an isolated task quickly.
Method 3: Scheduled Execution
The third method is to use the Scheduled Execution method. This approach is best for flows that need to run repeatedly at set times or intervals.
To schedule a desktop flow, you:
- Locate the flow you want to schedule in Power Automate Desktop.
- Choose Schedule on the right side.
- Use the scheduling wizard to set the time, days, and frequency for the flow to run. Click “Next”.
- Review the summary and submit.
The scheduled task will then run automatically based on your chosen schedule.
Method 4: Running from a Shortcut
The final method involves running a desktop flow from a shortcut on your local machine. This method is useful for flows you need to run quickly or frequently.
To create a shortcut:
- Locate the desktop flow within Power Automate Desktop.
- Click on More Options (…), and then “Create Shortcut”.
- Choose the preferred location for your shortcut.
- Double-click on the shortcut whenever you want to run the flow.
In conclusion, Microsoft Power Automate offers versatility in running desktop flows, whether you want to do it manually, schedule it, use a shortcut or even incorporate it into a more extensive cloud flow. Understanding these methods not only assists future PL-500 exam attempts but more crucially equips you with knowledge vital in real-world RPA applications.
Practice Test
True or False: A Desktop flow can be run automatically from Power Automate.
- 1) True
- 2) False
Answer: True
Explanation: You can use trigger actions in Power Automate to start a Desktop flow automatically.
Which of the following can be used to run a desktop flow?
- 1) Using Power Automate in a browser
- 2) Using Power Automate Desktop
- 3) From a Power Apps application
- 4) All of the above
Answer: All of the above
Explanation: Power Automate provides a few ways to run a desktop flow: within Power Automate in a browser, from the Power Automate Desktop application, and from a Power Apps application.
True or False: Desktop flows can only be initiated manually by the user.
- 1) True
- 2) False
Answer: False
Explanation: Although manual initiation is an option, desktop flows can also be initiated by a scheduler, triggered from a cloud flow, or initiated from a Power Apps application.
Which of the following are ways to execute a desktop flow? (Multiple Select)
- 1) From the Power Automate website
- 2) From Power Automate Desktop
- 3) From Windows Scheduler
- 4) From the command line
Answer: From the Power Automate website, From Power Automate Desktop
Explanation: You can run a desktop flow from the Power Automate site or from the Power Automate Desktop application. The other options are not supported.
True or False: A desktop flow cannot be triggered to run from a cloud flow in Power Automate.
- 1) True
- 2) False
Answer: False
Explanation: It is possible to initiate a desktop flow from a cloud flow using trigger actions in Power Automate.
Which of the following allows you to schedule a desktop flow to run at specific times?
- 1) Power Automate Website
- 2) Power Automate Desktop
- 3) Microsoft Office
- 4) None of the above
Answer: Power Automate Website
Explanation: Power Automate website allows configuring scheduled runs for your desktop flows.
True or False: You cannot run a desktop flow from a Power Apps application.
- 1) True
- 2) False
Answer: False
Explanation: It is possible to trigger a desktop flow from a Power Apps application.
Which of the following Power Automate products would you use to develop a desktop flow?
- 1) Power Automate Mobile
- 2) Power Automate Desktop
- 3) Power Automate Cloud
- 4) None of the above
Answer: Power Automate Desktop
Explanation: Power Automate Desktop is the tool used to develop and run desktop flows.
True or False: Running a flow from the command line is supported in Power Automate.
- 1) True
- 2) False
Answer: False
Explanation: Currently, Power Automate does not support running a flow from the command line.
A Desktop flow can be triggered from a ______.
- 1) Spreadsheet
- 2) Cloud flow
- 3) Power Automate Mobile
- 4) Command Line Interface
Answer: Cloud flow
Explanation: You can initiate a desktop flow from a cloud flow using trigger actions in Power Automate. Other options are not supported.
True or False: Execution of a desktop flow can be scheduled daily, weekly or monthly in Power Automate.
- 1) True
- 2) False
Answer: True
Explanation: In Power Automate, desktop flows can be scheduled to run daily, weekly, or monthly at a specific time.
To run a desktop flow from a Power Apps application, which element should be used?
- 1) Timer
- 2) Button
- 3) Screen
- 4) Label
Answer: Button
Explanation: Power apps button can be configured to call and run desktop flow.
True or False: Executing a desktop flow from Power Automate desktop requires internet.
- 1) True
- 2) False
Answer: True
Explanation: An Internet connection is required to authenticate, and to communicate with the Power Automate service while executing a flow.
Which functionality in Power Automate is used to execute a Desktop flow at a specific time in the future?
- 1) Cloud flow
- 2) Scheduled flow
- 3) Power Apps
- 4) Power Automate Desktop
Answer: Scheduled flow
Explanation: Using scheduling functionality in Power Automate, a Desktop flow can be executed at a specific time in the future.
True or False: Desktop flow can only be run if your computer is locked or turned off.
- 1) True
- 2) False
Answer: False
Explanation: This is false. A computer must be unlocked and awake in order for a desktop flow to run. If the computer is locked or turned off, the flow will not run.
Interview Questions
What is a Desktop Flow in Microsoft Power Automate?
A Desktop Flow is a type of automation in Microsoft Power Automate that allows you to automate repetitive tasks in Windows and web applications.
How can we trigger a desktop flow?
A desktop flow can be triggered manually, set to run at scheduled times, or invoked from a cloud flow.
What is the Power Automate Desktop console?
Power Automate Desktop console is a Windows application where you can create, modify, manage and run your desktop flows.
Can we run a desktop flow from the Power Automate website?
Yes, a desktop flow can be run from the Power Automate website, regardless of whether your computer is online or offline.
Can we use the gateways to run the desktop flows?
Yes, we can use On-premises data gateways to run desktop flows on your computer from the Power Automate website.
What is the role of an On-premises data gateway in running a desktop flow?
An On-premises data gateway acts as a bridge to run the desktop flows on your computer from the Power Automate website.
Can desktop flows be started directly from cloud flows?
Yes, desktop flows can be invoked directly from cloud flows in Power Automate.
Are there any prerequisites to run a desktop flow from the Power Automate website?
Yes, you need to have the Power Automate Desktop app installed on your computer and must have the On-premises data gateway properly configured.
Can multiple users run a single desktop flow at the same time?
No. Currently, a single desktop flow can only be run by one user at a time.
Can we run a desktop flow without being logged in to the computer?
Yes, as long as the On-premises data gateway is configured correctly, an offline computer’s desktop flow can be triggered from the Power Automate website.
Can we control the speed of execution in a desktop flow?
Yes, the ‘Delay between actions’ parameter allows us to control the speed of execution in a desktop flow.
Can we get the desktop flow’s execution logs?
Yes, execution logs can be found in the Power Automate Desktop console, which can help in troubleshooting if the flow fails or encounters any errors.
Can we run a desktop flow on a remote computer?
Yes, using the On-premises data gateway, desktop flows can be run on a remote computer from the Power Automate website.
Can we use any application with Microsoft Power Automate Desktop flows?
Power Automate Desktop flows can interact with many types of applications including, but not limited to, web apps, desktop applications, virtual machines, and legacy systems.
Is there a way to schedule the execution of a desktop flow?
Yes, you can schedule desktop flows to run at specified intervals or specific times by setting up a schedule within the Power Automate website.
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