Power Automate Expressions Overview

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Questions and Answers

What functionality do expressions in Power Automate provide?

  • They automate the configuration of triggers.
  • They replace the need for connectors.
  • They perform operations on existing values. (correct)
  • They serve as user interface elements.

What will the addDays() expression typically require as its parameters?

  • Only a number of days to add without any time reference.
  • A time stamp and a number of days to add or subtract. (correct)
  • A pre-set date and a connector type.
  • A text box and a trigger.

How is the Timestamp variable replaced during flow execution?

  • With the actual data from the data source. (correct)
  • Automatically by user input.
  • By an error message if unconfigured.
  • By default static values.

Which expression would you use to obtain the current date and time in Power Automate?

<p>utcNow() (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the Dynamic content pop-up allow developers to do when configuring triggers or actions?

<p>Insert variables from data sources into text boxes. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If a developer wants a permanent solution for the End Time field, which option should they avoid?

<p>Inserting an exact date and time. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What operation would you perform to get calendar information starting from the current date and time?

<p>Use the Timestamp variable in the Start Time text box. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the Expression tab in Power Automate?

<p>To display a list of expressions for various operations. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary distinction of an automated cloud flow compared to other flow types?

<p>It launches in response to specific conditions in a monitored connector. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which flow type would you use if you need to execute a flow at a specific time daily?

<p>Scheduled cloud flow (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which method does not directly require the selection of a trigger when creating a flow?

<p>Start from a template (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct sequence of steps to create an instant cloud flow?

<p>Select a trigger that responds to user action and then add actions. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When creating a flow from a blank state, what must a user do first?

<p>Select a type of trigger to initiate the flow. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the earlier nomenclature used for the instant cloud flow?

<p>Button flow (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which action initiates a scheduled cloud flow?

<p>Defining a date and time for the flow to launch. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates desktop flows from cloud flows in Power Automate?

<p>Desktop flows require the Power Automate Desktop app for creation. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which category of functions does not manipulate data strings?

<p>Math functions (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the Approvals action in Power Automate flows?

<p>To generate approval request emails (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In Power Automate Desktop, what feature distinguishes it from the mobile version?

<p>It automates desktop tasks (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which function category in Power Automate deals with data array manipulations?

<p>Collection functions (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What allows Power Automate Desktop to capture user actions for automation?

<p>Keyboard and mouse recording (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the Condition action do in an approval flow when a response is received?

<p>Tests for specific values in the response field (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which function category is responsible for converting data types in Power Automate?

<p>Conversion functions (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What application serves as the interface for Power Automate for mobile users?

<p>Power Automate mobile (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the Generate strings function categorize itself in Power Automate?

<p>Date and time functions (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What commonly triggers an approval flow in Power Automate?

<p>Temporary posts in SharePoint lists (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a category of functions in Power Automate?

<p>Statistical functions (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of URI parsing functions in Power Automate?

<p>To retrieve details about URIs (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What method does Power Automate use to store the flows created by users?

<p>In the cloud (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Expressions in Power Automate

Code snippets that perform operations on existing values in Power Automate. They allow you to customize actions beyond the standard settings.

utcNow() Expression

A dynamic content field that represents the current date and time in UTC format.

addDays() Expression

An expression that adds or subtracts a specified number of days to a given date.

addDays(utcNow(), 7)

A function that calculates a specific date and time by adding a specified number of days to the current UTC time.

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Dynamic Content Pop-Up

A feature that allows users to select and insert dynamically changing values into a workflow.

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Dynamic Content Variables

Variables within a flow that are replaced by actual data when the flow runs.

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Expression Tab

A section within the Dynamic Content Pop-Up that lists available expressions for data manipulation.

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Connector Settings

The values and actions within a connector that are configurable by the developer.

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Automated Cloud Flow

A cloud flow triggered when a specific event happens in a connected application or service. For instance, it could activate when a new email arrives or a file is uploaded.

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Instant (Button) Cloud Flow

A cloud flow initiated by a user's action, typically by pressing a button in the Power Automate mobile app or triggering an action from another application.

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Scheduled Cloud Flow

A cloud flow designed to run at specific times based on a preset schedule. The frequency can be daily, weekly, or even monthly.

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Create page in Power Automate Portal

The initial screen presented when creating a new cloud flow. You select a trigger to define the flow's starting point.

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Start from a Template

Power Automate provides this option for creating a flow from scratch by utilizing the existing templates. Choose from a wide range of templates matching specific business needs.

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Start from Blank

This method enables you to create flows from scratch by selecting a trigger and adding multiple actions. Provides maximum flexibility to build bespoke workflows.

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Start from a Connector

The feature that provides access to a variety of connectors, allowing you to build flows by connecting various applications and services.

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Power Automate Desktop

Power Automate's application for creating flows that interact directly with your computer's desktop. Automate tasks like filling forms, copying files, and more.

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String Functions

Power Automate expressions manipulate data by joining, replacing, splitting, trimming, formatting, and converting strings.

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Collection Functions

Power Automate expressions work with data arrays by specifying their length, locating empty strings, joining elements, and finding their first or last elements.

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Logical Functions

Power Automate expressions perform comparisons using if/then statements, arithmetic functions, and Boolean operators.

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Conversion Functions

Power Automate expressions convert data between different types, such as integers, strings, Booleans, and XML or JSON values.

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Math Functions

Power Automate expressions perform basic arithmetic operations, generate random values, and find minimum and maximum values.

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Date and Time Functions

Power Automate expressions work with timestamps by adding, subtracting, or identifying the start of a time interval.

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Referencing Functions

Power Automate expressions allow you to access inputs and outputs from other triggers and actions within a flow.

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Workflow Functions

Power Automate expressions provide information about a flow itself and the URLs of triggers and actions.

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URI Parsing Functions

Power Automate expressions analyze Uniform Resource Identifiers (URIs) to extract specific information like host names, queries, paths, ports, and schemes.

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Manipulation Functions (JSON & XML)

Power Automate expressions work with JSON and XML objects by extracting information and modifying their structure.

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Approvals in Power Automate

Power Automate helps users request approval from superiors before completing tasks.

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Power Automate Portal

Power Automate allows users to access and manage flows through a web-based interface.

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Power Automate Mobile Apps

Power Automate offers mobile apps for Android, iOS, and Windows Phone that allow users to edit, test, and execute flows.

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Study Notes

Power Automate Expressions

  • Expressions in Power Automate allow developers to perform operations on existing values, augmenting actions' native settings
  • Expressions are derived from Azure Logic Apps' Workflow Definition Language
  • Categories of Expressions:
    • String functions (concatenation, replacement, splitting, etc.)
    • Collection functions (length, locating elements)
    • Logical functions (comparisons, arithmetic, Boolean)
    • Conversion functions (data type transformations)
    • Math functions (arithmetic, random values, min/max)
    • Date and time functions (adding/subtracting time, identifying time intervals)
    • Referencing functions (accessing trigger and action input/output)
    • Workflow functions (flow details, trigger/action URLs)
    • URI parsing functions (extracting URI components)
    • Manipulation functions (modifying JSON/XML)
  • Example: addDays(utcNow(), 7) calculates an end time 7 days after the flow execution time
  • utcNow() returns the current timestamp

Power Automate Approvals

  • Common use: processing document approvals needing superior consent
  • Example: a file approval before posting to SharePoint or email to customers
  • Documents are typically posted to a temporary location (e.g., SharePoint list)
  • Posting triggers a flow with an Approvals action to generate an approval request email
  • Approver responds (approve/reject), triggering a Condition action
  • Condition action updates SharePoint item based on response (yes=approval, no=reject)

Power Automate Apps

  • Power Automate portal: cloud-based interface for creating and managing flows
  • Power Automate mobile apps (Android, iOS, Windows): accessible interface for flow editing/execution
  • Power Automate Desktop: desktop application for automating desktop tasks
  • Desktop flows differ from cloud flows; they automate interactions with desktop applications and files

Creating Power Automate Flows

  • Three ways:
    • Start from blank: selecting a trigger and adding actions
    • Start from a template: choosing a prebuilt flow template
    • Start from a connector: starting with a specific connector's capabilities
  • Flow types:
    • Automated: triggered by connector activity (e.g., message arrival)
    • Instant/Button: triggered by user action (e.g., button press)
    • Scheduled: triggered at a specific time/interval
    • Desktop: created within the Power Automate Desktop app
  • Power Automate Desktop records user actions and saves them as flows, capable of automating user interface level actions in apps or terminals.

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