Types of flow in Power Automate

Types of Flows in Power Automate: Instant Cloud Flow (3 Ways To Make a Flow)

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Instant cloud flow is one of the three ways to make a flow from the different “Types of Flows in Power Automate”. Sometimes we need to perform some repeating tasks manually. In this scenario, we can create an instant cloud-type flow that gets triggered manually as needed and complete the tasks quickly. To be noted, we can create a flow in three ways in Power Automate:

  • Start from a blank
  • Start with a template.
  • Start with a connector.

Before getting into the article, let’s understand what Power Automate Flow is.

What is Power Automate?

Power Automate, formerly known as Microsoft Flow, is a cloud-based service provided by Microsoft that allows users to create and automate workflows and tasks across various applications and services. It is part of the larger suite of Microsoft Power Platform tools, which also includes Power BI, Power Apps, and Power Virtual Agents.

Power Automate enables users to connect to different services and applications, such as Microsoft 365, SharePoint, OneDrive, Azure, and many third-party services, to create automated workflows without the need for coding or advanced technical skills. These workflows are designed to streamline repetitive tasks and business processes, saving time and improving productivity.

Key features and capabilities of Power Automate include:

  • Integration: Power Automate allows you to connect and integrate with a wide range of applications and services, both Microsoft and non-Microsoft, to automate data transfer, notifications, and other actions.
  • Flow Designer: The service provides a user-friendly, web-based interface where users can visually design and create workflows by defining triggers and actions using a drag-and-drop approach.
  • Templates: Power Automate offers a library of pre-built templates that make it easy to get started with common automation scenarios.
  • Notifications and Alerts: You can set up automated email notifications, approvals, and alerts, ensuring that the right people are informed when specific events occur.
  • Data Transformations: You can manipulate and transform data as it moves through your workflows, making it suitable for various purposes.
  • Conditional Logic: Create logic and conditions within workflows to make decisions based on certain criteria, such as “if-then” rules.
  • Integration with AI and Cognitive Services: Power Automate can be used in conjunction with Azure Cognitive Services, allowing you to add artificial intelligence capabilities to your workflows.
  • Scheduled Flows: Automate tasks on a schedule, such as sending reports or data updates at specific times.
  • Power Automate Connectors: Power Automate offers a wide range of connectors that enable communication with various apps and services. These connectors simplify the process of integrating with external systems.
  • Mobile Apps: You can access and manage your automated workflows on the go using the Power Automate mobile app.

Power Automate is used by businesses and individuals to automate a variety of tasks, from simple email notifications to complex multi-step processes. It’s a versatile tool that can help increase efficiency and productivity by reducing manual, repetitive work.

Types of Flows in Power Automate: Three ways to make a flow( Start from blank)

Starting from the blank is one of the three ways to make a flow.

In the “start from blank” section, we have the types of starting flows:

  • Automate cloud flow – Triggered by a designated event.
  • Instant cloud flow – Triggered manually as needed.
  • Scheduled cloud flow – You choose when and how often it runs.
  • Desktop flow – Automates process on your desktop environment.
Three ways to make a flow - start from blank
Three ways to make a flow – start from blank

Note:

  • In this article, we will discuss the “Instant cloud flow – Triggered manually as needed”

Three ways to make a flow: Start from a template

We can create a flow using the template – there are many templates available, few are shown below:

Three ways to make a flow - start from a template
Three ways to make a flow – start from a template

Three ways to make a flow: start from a connector

We can create a flow using the connector as well – there are many connectors available, few are shown below:

Three ways to make a flow - start from a connector
Three ways to make a flow – start from a connector

Now, we will move on to how to create a flow using the instant cloud flow template which can be triggered manually as needed.

How to create a flow using the instant cloud flow template?

Build an instant cloud flow to trigger manually
Build an instant cloud flow to trigger manually

Name the flow.

Choose any of the given templates – here we have selected the “Manually trigger a flow – flow button for mobile” trigger point.

Build an instant cloud flow to trigger manually - Test
Build an instant cloud flow to trigger manually – Test

Click on the Create button.

Create an instant cloud flow to trigger manually
Create an instant cloud flow to trigger manually

In the next screen, we can see the flow designer screen with the “Manually trigger a flow” action.

Manually trigger a flow - Next Step
Manually trigger a flow – Next Step

Click on the “+ Next step”.

Select “Create Item” SharePoint action.

Manually trigger a flow - create item in SharePoint list
Manually trigger a flow – create an item in a SharePoint list

Enter the below details:

  • Site Address – SharePoint Online Site Address
  • List Name – Country
  • Title (Title column value) – Australia

Then click on the “Test” button.

Test Power Automate flow manually
Test Power Automate flow manually

Now from the Test Flow selection select manually to perform the starting action to trigger it.

Manually test flow to perform the starting action to trigger it
Manually test flow to perform the starting action to trigger it

Then click on the “Test” button.

Run flow for the manual trigger
Instant Cloud flow – Run flow for the manual trigger
Your flow run successfully started. To monitor it, go to the Flow Runs Page.
Your flow run successfully started. To monitor it, go to the Flow Runs Page.

Click on the “Done” button.

Your flow ran successfully status message
Your flow ran successfully status message

If you see that all the actions are green ticked means your flow has been run successfully.

Now, go to your SharePoint site list location.

List item added using the Power Automate manual trigger action - Instant Cloud flow
List item added using the Power Automate manual trigger action

We can see that a new country “Australia” has been added to the list.

Summary: Types of Flows in Power Automate (Three ways to make a flow – Instant Cloud Flow)

Thus, in this article, we have learned the following with respect to the ways to make flow in Power Automate and how to work with the instant cloud flow:

  • What is Power Automate Flow?
  • What are the different types of flows in Power Automate?
  • What are the three ways to make a flow in Power Automate?
  • How do I start from the blank template in Power Automate?
  • How do I create a flow with the automated cloud flow, triggered by a designated event template?
  • How do I create an instant cloud flow? Triggered manually as needed.
  • How to create a scheduled cloud flow: You choose when and how often it runs.
  • How do you create a desktop flow that automates processes in your desktop environment?
  • How do I create a flow using the instant cloud flow template?

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