cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
Reply
AnnaChu
Microsoft
Microsoft

Help make Flow Design easier

The Power Automate Designer team would love to hear feedback from the perspective of novice Power Automate users, citizen developers and low coders on their experience with Power Automate Designer. When designing flows, what do they struggle most with? If this sounds like something you’ve heard someone mention, please forward them this pre-screening survey to complete: https://aka.ms/MPA_DesignerFeedback

 

@kishbuy238 and team are interested in hosting a screen-sharing session to identify opportunities to improve the experience. This survey will be open through to August.

108 REPLIES 108

I would love this.  Sometimes when I'm creating (and testing) I realize I need to move something to a different location in the flow.

ianwuk
Post Partisan
Post Partisan

I would like the ability added, when extracting details from a Teams message, to somehow easily extract the attachment and its data so it can be worked on.  Especially if the attachment is not in a format Teams really likes.

Sorry to bring this up again, but it's super important for functionalities.

 

You've now blocked us from using other endpoints on the old Groups HTTP action, too.

 

So, calls like the below just aren't possible without setting up complex app permissions and paying for premium subscriptions to do so, which is not right when the ability to perform these existed mere months ago.

 

https://graph.microsoft.com/beta/rolemanagement/directory/roleAssignments?$filter=principalId eq 'INSERT_ID'

 

 

I can appreciate that someone decided that functionality should be split between the various Microsoft action connectors, but if you're not offering the full availability, then by restricting it you're really killing us, here.

dasd


@eliotcole wrote:

Hi, @AnnaChu, I've thought of something that will really help make Flow Design easier:

 

Do Not Remove The Graph API Functionality From The Office 365 Groups Connector Action "Send an HTTP request"

 

You would basically be destroying HUGE swathes of usability of the system, forcing users into needlessly complex routines using Azure apps, which just need a simple HTTP call.

 

I've created an "Idea" to bring this to the fore, here:

https://ideas.powerautomate.com/d365community/idea/d51463df-6f0c-ed11-a81b-6045bd7c3e3f

 

If they're aware of this action's power, I'd call on my fellow Flow Ninjas, @Pstork1, @Expiscornovus, @tom_riha, @ScottShearer, @annajhaveri, @takolota, @ekarim2020, @Paulie78, @MarconettiMarco, @fchopo to join me in protesting the removal of such a tool.

 

(sorry for @'ing you all, folks)

 

If they aren't aware of it's usability, then I suggest they perform just any simple (non-groups 😉) Graph call in V1, and then try it in V2.

 

Here's some pictoral evidence of the change:

Send an HTTP request
wah1.jpg
Send an HTTP request V2
wah2.jpg
Current docs page (no V2 listed)
Spoiler
wah3.jpg

 

That Idea again:

https://ideas.powerautomate.com/d365community/idea/d51463df-6f0c-ed11-a81b-6045bd7c3e3f

 

Do not do this to us, Anna, what's the point of an automation service that can't automate?


 

maxpower45255
Advocate III
Advocate III

I don't know if this is the right place to submit a feature request. But can we add multiple condition support to the "IF" action? It's hard to build complex "If" checks with the current design. You can only add one condition at a time. This forces the user to write longer and more verbose flows unecessarily. 

thanks!

I just learned about SWITCH.  Not sure if it will work for what you're doing, or if you've already tried, but just wanted to pass it along just in case.  You can have multiple paths based on conditions.

maxpower45255
Advocate III
Advocate III

@slarson77 Thanks. SWITCH won't work. It checks the value of a single variable and provides you with multiple paths. It's not the same as doing an "IF condition1 AND/OR condition2 AND/OR condition3" all in the same action. 

For example. I'm comparing two variables that I know are usually blank. I want to execute something only when they're truly equal and not blank. 

So with the current design, I have to nest 3 IFs to check that var1 = var2 and that var1 isn't blank and var2 isn't blank. See my screenshot.  

Ventit
Helper V
Helper V

I don't really think it needs to be made easier,  just more enhancements like those mentioned above.  From where I sit teh most difficult thing is understanding the odata syntax.  I have taught myself just as teach myself functions in excel.  My observation with many people in my organization is they cannot even maximize productivity in excel.  Those that can find flow awesome and easy

livingstonep
Kudo Kingpin
Kudo Kingpin

Is it possible to 

livingstonep_0-1674827274035.png

 

 

livingstonep
Kudo Kingpin
Kudo Kingpin

Is it possible to GROUP multiple flows together, for example as a Project?

So in the below, those 5 flows would all be in one Project:

livingstonep_1-1674827399184.png

 

Redders
Continued Contributor
Continued Contributor

Hi @livingstonep ,

 

I am also looking at this at the moment and the small amount of research that I have done seems to point to 'Solutions' being what you are looking for.

 

I'm happy to be corrected though

maxpower45255
Advocate III
Advocate III

You should create a solution. You can group all your flows, connections, bots, tables, etc in it. 

The solutions can be accessed via the "Solutions" link on the left nav. 

Take a look at the documentation on solutions. There are a some best practices to follow. 

This is a good place to start. 

Application lifecycle management (ALM) with Microsoft Power Platform - Power Platform | Microsoft Le...

 

jaaronanderson
Frequent Visitor

I REALLY wish I could envelope all of my initialized variables into a Scope block in order to clean up my waterfall when i go to edit it and work with it...

gidiscacciati
Helper I
Helper I

Please:

  • allow us to read and manipulate data from Excel files that do not contain tables;
  • a CSV parser that is not a third-party connector;
  • something to change file encoding;
  • UI/UX needs improving. Sometimes actions do not load properly and we can't save the flow, we need to reload the page and everything not previously saved is lost;
  • the ability to run scripts (i.e. python) from cloud flows.
KarlH
Advocate I
Advocate I

I would like MS Devs to tally up all of the reasons and workflows that force PowerAutomate users to use the SharePoint HTTP action for workarounds, and then formulate these into official easy to create/setup/manage actions.

For example, users shouldn't have to craft a SharePoint HTTP action just to rename a Document Library folder or file. That action should come standard within existing actions - or at least, have its own dedicated action.

@gidiscacciati 

  • UI/UX needs improving. Sometimes actions do not load properly and we can't save the flow, we need to reload the page and everything not previously saved is lost;

I thought it was just me with this issue.  Glad it's not - completely agree!

@gidiscacciati 

 

A full non-3rd party CSV parser in a single action would be nice. But for now there is this CSV parsing template using only standard actions:

https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Power-Automate-Cookbook/CSV-to-Dataset/td-p/1508191

But the behaviour seems very inconsistent. Sometimes I copy items and paste them into a different part of the flow. Later I want the same time so I often try Windows+V to find the earlier item. Sometimes it's there and sometimes it's not. I have no idea when items go to the system clipboard and when they don't. Using Windows 11.

>This action should be designed so that all of the values are blank, so that it only updates the the actual fields you want to update, and everything else keeps the value it had before the update action.

 

This is such an obvious thing, it really is a bug IMO

Formatron
Advocate I
Advocate I

Some of the things I've been struggling with:

  • Not being able to disable or "switch off" a branch or a block that isn't working is quite frustrating. It means you have to delete something that you are still fiddling with, in order to get your flow to run successfully
  • It's not designed for reusability, in the sense that you cannot reuse what you've already done, for example, you can't copy and paste an action - at least I can't see how - so if you want two almost identical actions you have to create them individually
  • The presentation of the dynamic content could be a lot better
  • I've had a lot of trouble using conditions - when you run the flow, you can see the outcome (e.g. "expressionResult": true) but you can't see the inputs to the expression - which means that if you aren't getting the expected result, you can't see why
  • Expressions are not very easy to use - when you select dynamic content to insert into an expression, it changes immediately to a long string that is not human-readable; that also makes the expression very long, and the text field is not very long so you can only see a small piece of the expression (I've resorted to pasting expressions into notepad so that [a.] I can actually read them and [b.] I don't have to recreate them from scratch every time I need the same thing); the expression syntax is also not very clear, there is no styling or colours applied
  • I also had an issues with the expression builder where it allowed me to use the multiply function with 4 numbers and only gave me an error when I tried to save the flow (also for goodness sake - why can't you multiple 4 numbers? I had to work around this by doing 3 multiplies instead of one!)
  • The actions are often not intuitively named (for a newbie anyway), and there is no contextual help - when you click on the info icon, it takes you to the Microsoft site - contextual help would be better
  • If you rename actions so that you can easily follow the logic of your flow (e.g. changing "Condition 2" to "Check for scenario ABC" then you can't see what the action was originally called
  • I've had issues where my flow seems to revert back to an older version - perhaps I'm doing something wrong - but it shouldn't be that easy to make such an impactful error
  • I have to spend a lot of time debugging, which it's not designed for - e.g. today part of the flow where I update a list item keeps failing, and I can't see why, I've ended up replacing calculated values with "hard coded" values so that I can see if my calculation is breaking it or something else
  • Generally I'm just not finding it very easy to use, or intuitive, although it's really powerful and I am starting to get the hang of certain things (due to persistence and helpful people on the forum)

 

Edit:

  • When editing a flow, the Save button is always active even if you've just saved. Bad UX. There is no way to see whether a flow needs to be saved, and because there's no auto-save, you have to keep saving just in case.

Helpful resources

Announcements

Announcing the MPPC's Got Power Talent Show at #MPPC23

Are you attending the Microsoft Power Platform Conference 2023 in Las Vegas? If so, we invite you to join us for the MPPC's Got Power Talent Show!      Our talent show is more than a show—it's a grand celebration of connection, inspiration, and shared journeys. Through stories, skills, and collective experiences, we come together to uplift, inspire, and revel in the magic of our community's diverse talents. This year, our talent event promises to be an unforgettable experience, echoing louder and brighter than anything you've seen before.    We're casting a wider net with three captivating categories:  Demo Technical Solutions: Show us your Power Platform innovations, be it apps, flows, chatbots, websites or dashboards... Storytelling: Share tales of your journey with Power Platform. Hidden Talents: Unveil your creative side—be it dancing, singing, rapping, poetry, or comedy. Let your talent shine!    Got That Special Spark? A Story That Demands to Be Heard? Your moment is now!  Sign up to Showcase Your Brilliance: https://aka.ms/MPPCGotPowerSignUp  Deadline for submissions: Thursday, Sept 28th    How It Works:  Submit this form to sign up: https://aka.ms/MPPCGotPowerSignUp  We'll contact you if you're selected. Get ready to be onstage!  The Spotlight is Yours: Each participant has 3-5 minutes to shine, with insightful commentary from our panel of judges. We’re not just giving you a stage; we’re handing you the platform to make your mark.     Be the Story We Tell: Your talents and narratives will not just entertain but inspire, serving as the bedrock for our community’s future stories and successes.    Celebration, Surprises, and Connections: As the curtain falls, the excitement continues! Await surprise awards and seize the chance to mingle with industry experts, Microsoft Power Platform leaders, and community luminaries. It's not just a show; it's an opportunity to forge connections and celebrate shared successes.    Event Details:  Date and Time: Wed Oct 4th, 6:30-9:00PM   Location: MPPC23 at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, NV, USA  

September User Group Success Story: Reading Dynamics 365 & Power Platform User Group

The Reading Dynamics 365 and Power Platform User Group is a community-driven initiative that started in September 2022. It has quickly earned recognition for its enthusiastic leadership and resilience in the face of challenges. With a focus on promoting learning and networking among professionals in the Dynamics 365 and Power Platform ecosystem, the group has grown steadily and gained a reputation for its commitment to its members!   The group, which had its inaugural event in January 2023 at the Microsoft UK Headquarters in Reading, has since organized three successful gatherings, including a recent social lunch. They maintain a regular schedule of four events per year, each attended by an average of 20-25 enthusiastic participants who enjoy engaging talks and, of course, pizza.   The Reading User Group's presence is primarily spread through LinkedIn and Meetup, with the support of the wider community. This thriving community is managed by a dedicated team consisting of Fraser Dear, Tim Leung, and Andrew Bibby, who serves as the main point of contact for the UK Dynamics 365 and Power Platform User Groups.   Andrew Bibby, an active figure in the Dynamics 365 and Power Platform community, nominated this group due to his admiration for the Reading UK User Group's efforts. He emphasized their remarkable enthusiasm and success in running the group, noting that they navigated challenges such as finding venues with resilience and smiles on their faces. Despite being a relatively new group with 20-30 members, they have managed to achieve high attendance at their meetings.   The group's journey began when Fraser Dear moved to the Reading area and realized the absence of a user group catering to professionals in the Dynamics 365 and Power Platform space. He reached out to Andrew, who provided valuable guidance and support, allowing the Reading User Group to officially join the UK Dynamics 365 and Power Platform User Groups community.   One of the group's notable achievements was overcoming the challenge of finding a suitable venue. Initially, their "home" was the Microsoft UK HQ in Reading. However, due to office closures, they had to seek a new location with limited time. Fortunately, a connection with Stephanie Stacey from Microsoft led them to Reading College and its Institute of Technology. The college generously offered them event space and support, forging a mutually beneficial partnership where the group promotes the Institute and encourages its members to support the next generation of IT professionals.   With the dedication of its leadership team, the Reading Dynamics 365 and Power Platform User Group is poised to continue growing and thriving! Their story exemplifies the power of community-driven initiatives and the positive impact they can have on professional development and networking in the tech industry. As they move forward with their upcoming events and collaborations with Reading College, the group is likely to remain a valuable resource for professionals in the Reading area and beyond.  

A Celebration of What We've Achieved--And Announcing Our Winners

As the sun sets on the #SummerofSolutions Challenge, it's time to reflect and celebrate! The journey we embarked upon together was not just about providing answers – it was about fostering a sense of community, encouraging collaboration, and unlocking the true potential of the Power Platform tools.   From the initial announcement to the final week's push, the Summer of Solutions Challenge has been a whirlwind of engagement and growth. It was a call to action for every member of our Power Platform community, urging them to contribute their expertise, engage in discussions, and elevate collective knowledge across the community as part of the low-code revolution.   Reflecting on the Impact As the challenge ends, it's essential to reflect on the impact it’s had across our Power Platform communities: Community Resilience: The challenge demonstrated the resilience of our community. Despite geographical distances and diverse backgrounds, we came together to contribute, learn, and collaborate. This resilience is the cornerstone of our collective strength.Diverse Expertise: The solutions shared during the challenge underscore the incredible expertise within our community. From intricate technical insights to creative problem-solving, our members showcased their diverse skill sets, enhancing our community's depth.Shared Learning: Solutions spurred shared learning. They provided opportunities for members to grasp new concepts, expand their horizons, and uncover the Power Platform tools' untapped potential. This learning ripple effect will continue to shape our growth. Empowerment: Solutions empowered community members. They validated their knowledge, boosted their confidence, and highlighted their contributions. Each solution shared was a step towards personal and communal empowerment. We are proud and thankful as we conclude the Summer of Solutions Challenge. The challenge showed the potential of teamwork, the benefit of knowledge-sharing, and the resilience of our Power Platform community. The solutions offered by each member are more than just answers; they are the expression of our shared commitment to innovation, growth, and progress!     Drum roll, Please... And now, without further ado, it's time to announce the winners who have risen above the rest in the Summer of Solutions Challenge!   These are the top community users and Super Users who have not only earned recognition but have become beacons of inspiration for us all.   Power Apps Community:  Community User Winner: @SpongYe Super User Winner: Pending Acceptance Power Automate Community:  Community User Winner: @trice602 Super User Winner: @Expiscornovus  Power Virtual Agents Community: Community User Winner: Pending AcceptanceSuper User: Pending Acceptance Power Pages Community: Community User Winner: @OOlashyn Super User Winner: @ChristianAbata   We are also pleased to announced two additional tickets that we are awarding to the Overall Top Solution providers in the following communities:    Power Apps: @LaurensM   Power Automate: @ManishSolanki    Thank you for making this challenge a resounding success. Your participation has reaffirmed the strength of our community and the boundless potential that lies within each of us. Let's keep the spirit of collaboration alive as we continue on this incredible journey in Power Platform together.Winners, we will see you in Vegas! Every other amazing solutions superstar, we will see you in the Community!Congratulations, everyone!

September featured user group leader

 Ayonija Shatakshi, a seasoned senior consultant at Improving, Ohio, is a passionate advocate for M365, SharePoint, Power Platform, and Azure, recognizing how they synergize to deliver top-notch solutions. Recently, we asked Ayonija to share her journey as a user group leader, shedding light on her motivations and the benefits she's reaped from her community involvement.      Ayonija embarked on her role as a user group leader in December 2022, driven by a desire to explore how the community leveraged various Power Platform components. When she couldn't find a suitable local group, she decided to create one herself!    Speaking about the impact of the community on her professional and personal growth, Ayonija says, "It's fascinating to witness how everyone navigates the world of Power Platform, dealing with license constraints and keeping up with new features. There's so much to learn from their experiences.:        Her favorite aspect of being a user group leader is the opportunity to network and engage in face-to-face discussions with fellow enthusiasts, fostering deeper connections within the community. Offering advice to budding user group leaders, Ayonija emphasized the importance of communication and consistency, two pillars that sustain any successful community initiative.      When asked why she encourages others to become user group leaders, Ayonija said, "Being part of a user group is one of the best ways to connect with experienced professionals in the same field and glean knowledge from them. If there isn't a local group, consider starting one; you'll soon find like-minded individuals."      Her highlight from the past year as a user group leader was witnessing consistent growth within the group, a testament to the thriving community she has nurtured. Advocating for user group participation, Ayonija stated, "It's the fastest route to learning from the community, gaining insights, and staying updated on industry trends."   Check out her group: Cleveland Power Platform User Group

An MPPC23 Invitation from Charles Lamanna, CVP of Microsoft Business Applications & Platform

Hear from Corporate Vice President for Microsoft Business Applications & Platform, Charles Lamanna, as he looks ahead to the second annual Microsoft Power Platform Conference from October 3rd-5th 2023 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.Have you got your tickets yet? Register today at www.powerplatformconf.com  

August new user groups and September user group events

We wanted to take the time to celebrate and welcome the new user groups that have joined our community. Along with that take a look at the event that might be happening near you or virtually.   Please welcome:  Biz Apps Community User Group - Power Platform Community (microsoft.com) This user group is dedicated for all community members of all skill levels to learn how to get the most out of their community experience. East Michigan Power Platform User Group - Power Platform Community (microsoft.com) This is hopefully the beginning of a community, covering eastern Michigan, built around the Power Platform.  Biz Apps Community User Group This user group is dedicated for all community members of all skill levels to learn how to get the most out of their community experience.     Events to checkout:   In-Person: September 2023 Hybrid Philadelphia Dynamics 365 & Power Platform User Group MeetDynamics 365 and Power Platform Physical Meetup Hyderabad Power Platform User Group Meetup - Sept 2023 (In-Person)Manchester September 2023 In Person Meeting Virtual: Everything Dataverse, Do you know that Dataverse is more than just a Database!POWER PLATFORM MONTHLY DIGEST- SEPTEMBERBaltic Summit 2023PL-900 Power Platform Fundamentals TrainingHR and L&D transformation through Power PlatformDynamics 365 Marketing Experience User Groups - Use Cases and NetworkingPower Platform and Dual Write from Dynamics 365 F&O PerspectiveANZ D365 FinOps Team September 2023 meetup

Users online (1,657)