cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
Reply
mrrosenthal85
Helper II
Helper II

Please explain Power Automate Desktop Licensing--Why not just use Azure free 750 hours

Our use case is we receive emails with a pdf and we need to extract the pdf from the email, so we were recommended PA desktop and it works but i have a few questions

If we run PA desktop every 12 hours, will that mean the software knows when the previous time it was ran and will check for all emails within the last 12 hours?  Or how does it know what emails to check when we turn it on and run it.  It kind of seems like it gets some emails, but not all since the last time we ran it.

 

We are planning on using the scheduler code where it turns on the flows at a set schedule.  If this is the case, why should we upgrade to a 15 and 45 dollar license(we have m365 license).    

Would we be able to use the free azure 750 hours windows to host this?  Or am i missing something and there is an easier way to do this.  

 

12 REPLIES 12
Pstork1
Most Valuable Professional
Most Valuable Professional

You can more easily extract and store attachment from an email using regular Power Automate.  I would not use PAD for that purpose unless you want to store them somewhere on your desktop.



-------------------------------------------------------------------------
If I have answered your question, please mark your post as Solved.
If you like my response, please give it a Thumbs Up.
mrrosenthal85
Helper II
Helper II

oh, that would be totally much better.   can you share how to do that ?  we were told they needed to be downloaded and then extract/scrape the email address that way.

we also have a flow where we get a link to a 1 page html doc with an email address, so we extracted it also using DPA.  you think we can do that on the cloud as well

Pstork1
Most Valuable Professional
Most Valuable Professional

Are the PDFs sent as attachments to the email or some other way?  Attachments are easy to get using Power Automate.  Also when you say extract/scrape the email address it sounds like you are getting that out of the contents of the PDF.  If that is true then you may be better served using PAD.



-------------------------------------------------------------------------
If I have answered your question, please mark your post as Solved.
If you like my response, please give it a Thumbs Up.

ok got it.  So in that case, whats the required minimum to get PAD going on a scheduler?  Could we use the free 750 hours in the cloud?  is that silly or is there  some other way to do this 

will the PAD flow if we run it every 12 hours check the previous 12 hours of email, or less than that.  how many emails does it know to check and download if its not always on.  

If we run PA desktop every 12 hours, will that mean the software knows when the previous time it was ran and will check for all emails within the last 12 hours?  Or how does it know what emails to check when we turn it on and run it.

 

The retrieve email messages action has a parameter for reading only the unread emails.

So if you enable this, PAD will pick up only the unread emails lying in the inbox from the previous run and in every run.

 

VJR_0-1670554624708.png

 

Also make sure to enable this so that the email is marked as read after being processed by PAD and will not be picked up in the next run.

VJR_1-1670554740484.png

 

Regarding PDF extraction:

Not sure if the PDFs are text based or image based.

Depending on that use Text extraction or OCR action.

 

Pass the PDF text to the below action and extract the email address

VJR_2-1670555117414.png

 

 

Pstork1
Most Valuable Professional
Most Valuable Professional

To run the desktop flow in an attended mode (running on your desktop) you would need the Power Automate with RPA license.  The 750 hours in the cloud won't apply.  To run the desktop flow unattended (On a VM or some other desktop) you'll need the Power Automate license with RPA and an unattended Add-on.

 

If all you want is scheduling you can use the desktop AT scheduler to run the flow at the appointed time using your credentials.  That doesn't require a premium license, Just a Windows 10/11 license.



-------------------------------------------------------------------------
If I have answered your question, please mark your post as Solved.
If you like my response, please give it a Thumbs Up.
VJR
Multi Super User
Multi Super User

Hi @Pstork1 

 

For my knowledge could you share information on what is a "desktop AT scheduler"?

If it is the Windows Task Scheduler I have tried using a Desktop Flow URL in the Task scheduler and it did not accept, therefore would like to know of the free way of scheduling desktop flows with a Windows license.

 

kostasc
Employee
Employee

Can confirm what VJR is saying. Running a flow from URL currently requires either a paid or a trial license. 

You mean running it from cloud initiatint a desktop power automate requires a license 

 

But for opening emails in pda on a schedule we don't need any license 

kostasc
Employee
Employee

Running flows manually in PAD is free.

Running a desktop flow from the cloud is a premium functionality.

Using the Run URL (flow details) to run flows locally, is also premium functionality.

To run a flow on a schedule you either need to schedule a cloud flow to run your desktop flow, or use the run flow URL and create a schedule locally (via the task scheduler or any other tool). 

 

I hope this helped to clarify your question.

Pstork1
Most Valuable Professional
Most Valuable Professional

It used to be possible to create a shortcut on the desktop and run that with the Windows Task Scheduler.  I just checked and creating a desktop shortcut is now a premium action.  So there is no way that I know of to run an attended desktop flow on a schedule without a Premium license.



-------------------------------------------------------------------------
If I have answered your question, please mark your post as Solved.
If you like my response, please give it a Thumbs Up.

Why would a win11 function of creating a schedule to run a win program be related to PDA?  Or are you saying win scheduler can open it, but PDA wont automatically start the flow once PDA is opened

Helpful resources

Announcements

Exclusive LIVE Community Event: Power Apps Copilot Coffee Chat with Copilot Studio Product Team

It's time for the SECOND Power Apps Copilot Coffee Chat featuring the Copilot Studio product team, which will be held LIVE on April 3, 2024 at 9:30 AM Pacific Daylight Time (PDT).     This is an incredible opportunity to connect with members of the Copilot Studio product team and ask them anything about Copilot Studio. We'll share our special guests with you shortly--but we want to encourage to mark your calendars now because you will not want to miss the conversation.   This live event will give you the unique opportunity to learn more about Copilot Studio plans, where we’ll focus, and get insight into upcoming features. We’re looking forward to hearing from the community, so bring your questions!   TO GET ACCESS TO THIS EXCLUSIVE AMA: Kudo this post to reserve your spot! Reserve your spot now by kudoing this post.  Reservations will be prioritized on when your kudo for the post comes through, so don't wait! Click that "kudo button" today.   Invitations will be sent on April 2nd.Users posting Kudos after April 2nd at 9AM PDT may not receive an invitation but will be able to view the session online after conclusion of the event. Give your "kudo" today and mark your calendars for April 3, 2024 at 9:30 AM PDT and join us for an engaging and informative session!

Tuesday Tip: Unlocking Community Achievements and Earning Badges

TUESDAY TIPS are our way of communicating helpful things we've learned or shared that have helped members of the Community. Whether you're just getting started or you're a seasoned pro, Tuesday Tips will help you know where to go, what to look for, and navigate your way through the ever-growing--and ever-changing--world of the Power Platform Community! We cover basics about the Community, provide a few "insider tips" to make your experience even better, and share best practices gleaned from our most active community members and Super Users.   With so many new Community members joining us each week, we'll also review a few of our "best practices" so you know just "how" the Community works, so make sure to watch the News & Announcements each week for the latest and greatest Tuesday Tips!     THIS WEEK'S TIP: Unlocking Achievements and Earning BadgesAcross the Communities, you'll see badges on users profile that recognize and reward their engagement and contributions. These badges each signify a different achievement--and all of those achievements are available to any Community member! If you're a seasoned pro or just getting started, you too can earn badges for the great work you do. Check out some details on Community badges below--and find out more in the detailed link at the end of the article!       A Diverse Range of Badges to Collect The badges you can earn in the Community cover a wide array of activities, including: Kudos Received: Acknowledges the number of times a user’s post has been appreciated with a “Kudo.”Kudos Given: Highlights the user’s generosity in recognizing others’ contributions.Topics Created: Tracks the number of discussions initiated by a user.Solutions Provided: Celebrates the instances where a user’s response is marked as the correct solution.Reply: Counts the number of times a user has engaged with community discussions.Blog Contributor: Honors those who contribute valuable content and are invited to write for the community blog.       A Community Evolving Together Badges are not only a great way to recognize outstanding contributions of our amazing Community members--they are also a way to continue fostering a collaborative and supportive environment. As you continue to share your knowledge and assist each other these badges serve as a visual representation of your valuable contributions.   Find out more about badges in these Community Support pages in each Community: All About Community Badges - Power Apps CommunityAll About Community Badges - Power Automate CommunityAll About Community Badges - Copilot Studio CommunityAll About Community Badges - Power Pages Community

Tuesday Tips: Powering Up Your Community Profile

TUESDAY TIPS are our way of communicating helpful things we've learned or shared that have helped members of the Community. Whether you're just getting started or you're a seasoned pro, Tuesday Tips will help you know where to go, what to look for, and navigate your way through the ever-growing--and ever-changing--world of the Power Platform Community! We cover basics about the Community, provide a few "insider tips" to make your experience even better, and share best practices gleaned from our most active community members and Super Users.   With so many new Community members joining us each week, we'll also review a few of our "best practices" so you know just "how" the Community works, so make sure to watch the News & Announcements each week for the latest and greatest Tuesday Tips!   This Week's Tip: Power Up Your Profile!  🚀 It's where every Community member gets their start, and it's essential that you keep it updated! Your Community User Profile is how you're able to get messages, post solutions, ask questions--and as you rank up, it's where your badges will appear and how you'll be known when you start blogging in the Community Blog. Your Community User Profile is how the Community knows you--so it's essential that it works the way you need it to! From changing your username to updating contact information, this Knowledge Base Article is your best resource for powering up your profile.     Password Puzzles? No Problem! Find out how to sync your Azure AD password with your community account, ensuring a seamless sign-in. No separate passwords to remember! Job Jumps & Email Swaps Changed jobs? Got a new email? Fear not! You'll find out how to link your shiny new email to your existing community account, keeping your contributions and connections intact. Username Uncertainties Unraveled Picking the perfect username is crucial--and sometimes the original choice you signed up with doesn't fit as well as you may have thought. There's a quick way to request an update here--but remember, your username is your community identity, so choose wisely. "Need Admin Approval" Warning Window? If you see this error message while using the community, don't worry. A simple process will help you get where you need to go. If you still need assistance, find out how to contact your Community Support team. Whatever you're looking for, when it comes to your profile, the Community Account Support Knowledge Base article is your treasure trove of tips as you navigate the nuances of your Community Profile. It’s the ultimate resource for keeping your digital identity in tip-top shape while engaging with the Power Platform Community. So, dive in and power up your profile today!  💪🚀   Community Account Support | Power Apps Community Account Support | Power AutomateCommunity Account Support | Copilot Studio  Community Account Support | Power Pages

Super User of the Month | Chris Piasecki

In our 2nd installment of this new ongoing feature in the Community, we're thrilled to announce that Chris Piasecki is our Super User of the Month for March 2024. If you've been in the Community for a while, we're sure you've seen a comment or marked one of Chris' helpful tips as a solution--he's been a Super User for SEVEN consecutive seasons!   Since authoring his first reply in April 2020 to his most recent achievement organizing the Canadian Power Platform Summit this month, Chris has helped countless Community members with his insights and expertise. In addition to being a Super User, Chris is also a User Group leader, Microsoft MVP, and a featured speaker at the Microsoft Power Platform Conference. His contributions to the new SUIT program, along with his joyous personality and willingness to jump in and help so many members has made Chris a fixture in the Power Platform Community.   When Chris isn't authoring solutions or organizing events, he's actively leading Piasecki Consulting, specializing in solution architecture, integration, DevOps, and more--helping clients discover how to strategize and implement Microsoft's technology platforms. We are grateful for Chris' insightful help in the Community and look forward to even more amazing milestones as he continues to assist so many with his great tips, solutions--always with a smile and a great sense of humor.You can find Chris in the Community and on LinkedIn. Thanks for being such a SUPER user, Chris! 💪 🌠  

Find Out What Makes Super Users So Super

We know many of you visit the Power Platform Communities to ask questions and receive answers. But do you know that many of our best answers and solutions come from Community members who are super active, helping anyone who needs a little help getting unstuck with Business Applications products? We call these dedicated Community members Super Users because they are the real heroes in the Community, willing to jump in whenever they can to help! Maybe you've encountered them yourself and they've solved some of your biggest questions. Have you ever wondered, "Why?"We interviewed several of our Super Users to understand what drives them to help in the Community--and discover the difference it has made in their lives as well! Take a look in our gallery today: What Motivates a Super User? - Power Platform Community (microsoft.com)

March User Group Update: New Groups and Upcoming Events!

  Welcome to this month’s celebration of our Community User Groups and exciting User Group events. We’re thrilled to introduce some brand-new user groups that have recently joined our vibrant community. Plus, we’ve got a lineup of engaging events you won’t want to miss. Let’s jump right in: New User Groups   Sacramento Power Platform GroupANZ Power Platform COE User GroupPower Platform MongoliaPower Platform User Group OmanPower Platform User Group Delta StateMid Michigan Power Platform Upcoming Events  DUG4MFG - Quarterly Meetup - Microsoft Demand PlanningDate: 19 Mar 2024 | 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM Central America Standard TimeDescription: Dive into the world of manufacturing with a focus on Demand Planning. Learn from industry experts and share your insights. Dynamics User Group HoustonDate: 07 Mar 2024 | 11:00 AM to 01:00 PM Central America Standard TimeDescription: Houston, get ready for an immersive session on Dynamics 365 and the Power Platform. Connect with fellow professionals and expand your knowledge. Reading Dynamics 365 & Power Platform User Group (Q1)Date: 05 Mar 2024 | 06:00 PM to 09:00 PM GMT Standard TimeDescription: Join our virtual meetup for insightful discussions, demos, and community updates. Let’s kick off Q1 with a bang! Leaders, Create Your Events!  Leaders of existing User Groups, don’t forget to create your events within the Community platform. By doing so, you’ll enable us to share them in future posts and newsletters. Let’s spread the word and make these gatherings even more impactful! Stay tuned for more updates, inspiring stories, and collaborative opportunities from and for our Community User Groups.   P.S. Have an event or success story to share? Reach out to us – we’d love to feature you!

Users online (6,049)