Cloud flow is a powerful feature offered by Microsoft Power Platform that allows users to automate workflows across different applications and services. The user can choose to trigger the flow instantly, automatically, or on a specific schedule. This is a handy feature when you need to automate routine business processes and tasks. In this context, we will dive into how to create a cloud flow using an instant, automated, or scheduled flow template, a relevant topic for the PL-900 Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals exam.
To create a cloud flow, you will need to follow the steps below:
Create an Instant Cloud Flow
The Instant flow triggers at the press of a button. They are highly useful for repetitive tasks which might be required at any point in time.
- Log in to Power Automate and navigate to the ‘Create’ page.
- Select ‘Instant cloud flow’.
- Enter a name for the flow and select how to trigger the flow. You can start the flow by pressing a button in the Power Automate application, by selecting data in an application, or by making a HTTP request.
- Click on ‘Create’.
- Build your flow by adding necessary actions, such as sending an email or creating a new record in a database.
- Save your flow by clicking ‘Save’.
Create an Automated Cloud Flow
Automated flows are ideal for business processes that need to be triggered when a specific event occurs.
- Navigate to the ‘Create’ page on Power Automate.
- Select ‘Automated cloud flow’.
- After naming your flow, choose the specific trigger for the flow. Triggers can be certain events happening in other services, like the arrival of an email in Outlook, or changes to data in SharePoint lists.
- Click on ‘Create’.
- Start designing your flow by determining actions that should take place after the trigger event.
- Save your flow by clicking ‘Save’.
Create a Scheduled Cloud Flow
Scheduled flows provide users with the ability to plan and automate tasks that are needed to be done at specific intervals (e.g., daily, weekly, or monthly).
- Go to the ‘Create’ page in Power Automate.
- Select ‘Scheduled cloud flow’.
- Enter the name of your flow and define the starting time and frequency of the workflow.
- Click on ‘Create’.
- Design your flow by adding all the necessary actions and conditions.
- Save your flow by clicking ‘Save’.
Points to Remember
Every type of cloud flow offers its own benefits. Instant flows provide flexibility and on-the-go solutions, automated flows allow seamless process automation, and scheduled flows help in time-based automation.
Remember, when creating any type of cloud flow, always check the correct completion of the flow run in the ‘Run history’. It’s also important to note the connectors used in the flow, as some of them may require premium licenses.
Take note, that regular reviews and tests of your flows will ensure they are running as they should be and will allow you to correct any errors immediately.
Also, following best practices for creating efficient and effective flows can improve performance and maintainability of your flows in the Power Platform. These can include naming conventions, adding comments or descriptions to your flows and actions, and using scopes and runs to organise and manage actions.
Mastering cloud flows is a valuable skill for the PL-900 Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals exam, as it is for the efficient running of your business process automation. Keep exploring and learning more about the fantastic world of Microsoft Power Platform.
Practice Test
True or False: You can use the instant flow trigger to respond to specific events.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Instant triggers can respond immediately to specific events, such as the selection of a button or the alteration of data.
In Microsoft Power Platform, which of the following can you use to create a cloud flow? Select all that apply.
- a) An instant flow template
- b) An automated flow template
- c) A scheduled flow template
- d) A static flow template
Answer: a) An instant flow template, b) An automated flow template, c) A scheduled flow template
Explanation: Instant, automated, or scheduled flow templates are used to create a cloud flow. A static flow template does not exist.
True or False: Scheduled flows can run without user interaction.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Scheduled flows can run at specified times and frequencies without requiring user interaction.
Which flow template would you commonly use for responding to a button click in an app?
- a) An instant flow template
- b) An automated flow template
- c) A scheduled flow template
- d) None of the above
Answer: a) An instant flow template
Explanation: Instant flows are often used for triggering actions such as responding to a button click in an app.
True or False: Automated flows depend on a predefined schedule.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Automated flows are triggered by specific events, not by a predefined schedule.
In Microsoft Power Platform, where can you create a cloud flow?
- a) Power BI
- b) Power Apps
- c) Power Automate
- d) Power Virtual Agents
Answer: c) Power Automate
Explanation: In Microsoft Power Platform, cloud flows are created in Power Automate.
True or False: All cloud flow types require user interaction to run.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Only instant flows require direct user interaction. Scheduled and automated flows can run without user interaction.
What triggers an automated flow?
- a) A specific schedule
- b) A specific event or action
- c) Direct user interaction
- d) None of the above
Answer: b) A specific event or action
Explanation: An automated flow in Microsoft Power Platform is triggered by a specific event or action.
True or False: You can use both Power Apps and Power Automate to create cloud flows.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: In Microsoft Power Platform, cloud flows can be created by only using Power Automate.
Which tool within the Microsoft Power Platform ecosystem is commonly used with automated flows?
- a) Power BI
- b) Power Apps
- c) Common Data Service
- d) Outlook
Answer: c) Common Data Service
Explanation: Automated flows often interact with Common Data Service to monitor and respond to changes in data.
Interview Questions
What is a Microsoft cloud flow?
A Microsoft cloud flow is a service that automates workflows across multiple applications and services.
What are the types of cloud flow available in the Power automate?
The power automate offers three types of cloud flow: Instant, Automated, and Scheduled.
What is an instant flow in Power Automate?
Instant flows are triggered by a user action like a button click.
How can one create an instant cloud flow in Microsoft Power Automate?
To create an instant flow, one needs to go to Power Automate->My flows->+New->Instant-from blank, give your flow a name, select manually trigger a flow, and then build the flow with relevant steps.
What does the Automated cloud flow in Power Automate imply?
Automated cloud flows start when an event occurs, such as a record update in a database.
What are the steps to create an automated cloud flow?
To create an automated cloud flow, navigate to Power Automate->My Flows->+New->Automated-from blank, provide a name, choose your trigger from hundreds of built-in triggers, and then build your flow.
Describe a Scheduled cloud flow in the context of Power Automate?
Scheduled cloud flows run at specific times or intervals starting from a time and date that you set.
What are the steps to create a scheduled cloud flow?
To create a scheduled cloud flow, go to Power Automate->My flows->+New->Scheduled-from blank, provide a name, set your starting date, time, and frequency, and build your flow.
Is it possible to use a template to create a cloud flow in Power Automate?
Yes, you can use a pre-existing template to create a cloud flow in Power Automate.
How does one use a template to create a cloud flow?
To use a template, navigate to Power Automate->Templates, select the template you want to use, and follow the steps to configure it.
What are the benefits of using a cloud flow template in Power Automate?
Templates can speed up the flow creation process by giving you a pre-configured starting point. You can also learn from templates by examining how they’re put together.
What is PL-900 Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals exam about?
The PL-900 Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals exam is intended to test the foundational knowledge of candidates in Power Apps, Power Automate, Power BI, and Power Virtual Agents.
Is Cloud Flow configuration a topic covered in the PL-900 Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals exam?
Yes, to effectively use and work with the Power Automate tool, creating and managing cloud flows is an essential topic covered in the PL-900 Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals exam.
Is it necessary to know how to create a cloud flow from a template for the PL-900 Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals exam?
While the exact contents of the exam can vary, understanding how to use templates to create cloud flows is a useful skill for the Power Automate component of the exam.
Can you use more than one type of flow in Microsoft Power Automate?
Yes, you can use multiple types of flows in Power Automate, including instant, automated, and scheduled flows, to best fit your workflow needs.
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