Power Automate / Flow - Create a Desktop Flow with Power Automate from a Template Tutorial

Discover how to create a powerful desktop flow using Power Automate templates. Customize the flow to extract images from PDF files with ease. Say goodbye to manual, time-consuming tasks and embrace the efficiency of Power Automate. Learn to modify and personalize your flow for seamless execution. Unlock the potential of automating PDF image extraction and enjoy a hassle-free process.

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Available in Microsoft365

Objectifs :

This document aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how to utilize Power Automate Desktop to automate the extraction of images from PDF files using templates. It will guide users through the process of launching the application, selecting templates, executing flows, and customizing them to meet specific needs.

Chapitres :

Introduction to Power Automate Desktop
Power Automate Desktop is a powerful tool that allows users to automate repetitive tasks. One of the simplest ways to understand its functionality is by starting with a template. This guide will walk you through the process of using a template to extract images from PDF files.
Launching Power Automate Desktop
To begin, launch the Power Automate Desktop application from your desktop shortcut. Once the application is open, you will be greeted with a home screen that provides access to various templates.
Accessing Templates
On the home screen, select 'Examples' to view the templates offered by Power Automate. These templates are categorized by themes, and for this guide, we will focus on those related to PDF files.
Selecting a Template for PDF Image Extraction
A list of templates will be displayed, each with a title, description, and level of technicality. We will choose the template that automates the extraction of images from a PDF. This is particularly useful when dealing with PDF files, such as product marketing documents, where right-clicking to save images may not work.
Executing the Template
After selecting the desired template, generate a copy of the flow. Rename it, and it will be available for editing in the 'My Flows' menu. To test the template, execute it as is. A dialog box will prompt you to select the PDF file you wish to process. Choose your marketing sheet and click 'Extract'.
Saving Extracted Images
A second dialog box will ask you to specify a target folder for saving the extracted images. Select your desktop and create a new folder. After a brief moment, a folder containing all the images extracted from the PDF will appear on your desktop.
Customizing the Flow
To modify the flow and add a confirmation message at the end, navigate to 'My Flows' and click the pencil icon to edit. You will see the structure of your flow. Choose to modify the first form block by clicking on the three dots. Here, you can customize the label of your dialog box.
Adding a Confirmation Message
To add an execution confirmation message, type 'Message' in the left column and drag the corresponding action to the end of the flow. Customize the title and message of the confirmation box, specifying that images from protected PDFs will not be extracted.
Finalizing the Image Extraction Action
Customize the 'Extract Images from a PDF' action by modifying the prefix of the saved image names. You can also specify a range of pages to extract or a specific page. For this example, we will keep all the pages.
Testing the Customized Flow
After making the necessary modifications, test the flow again. Upon execution, you will see the confirmation message, and the specified folder will contain all the images extracted from the PDF. You can then sort and keep the images that interest you.
Conclusion
The flow is now fully operational, allowing you to efficiently extract images from PDF files. By utilizing Power Automate Desktop and customizing templates, you can streamline your workflow and save valuable time.

FAQ :

What is Power Automate and how does it work?

Power Automate is a cloud-based service that enables users to create automated workflows between different applications and services. It works by allowing users to set triggers and actions that automate repetitive tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.

How can I extract images from a PDF using Power Automate?

To extract images from a PDF using Power Automate, you can start by selecting a template designed for image extraction. After launching the flow, you will be prompted to select the PDF file and specify a target folder for the extracted images.

What are templates in Power Automate?

Templates in Power Automate are pre-built workflows that users can customize to fit their specific needs. They provide a starting point for automation, making it easier to implement complex processes without starting from scratch.

Can I customize the flow after using a template?

Yes, after generating a copy of the flow from a template, you can customize it by modifying various elements, such as dialog box labels, confirmation messages, and the parameters for image extraction.

What should I do if the images from a protected PDF do not extract?

If the images from a protected PDF do not extract, it is important to note that Power Automate will not be able to extract images from such files. You may need to check the PDF's permissions or use alternative methods to access the images.

Quelques cas d'usages :

Marketing Material Management

In a marketing department, team members often need to extract images from product brochures or marketing PDFs. By using Power Automate to automate this process, they can quickly gather all necessary images into a designated folder, saving time and reducing manual effort.

Document Archiving

For organizations that need to archive documents, automating the extraction of images from PDFs can streamline the process. By setting up a flow, users can automatically extract and organize images from archived documents, improving accessibility and retrieval.

Content Creation for Social Media

Content creators can use Power Automate to extract images from PDFs containing visual assets for social media campaigns. This automation allows for quick access to high-quality images, enhancing the efficiency of content production.

Data Analysis and Reporting

Analysts can automate the extraction of charts and graphs from PDF reports using Power Automate. This enables them to quickly compile visual data for presentations or reports, improving the speed of data analysis.

Glossaire :

Power Automate

A cloud-based service that allows users to create automated workflows between applications and services to synchronize files, get notifications, collect data, and more.

Desktop Flows

Automated workflows that run on a user's desktop, allowing for automation of repetitive tasks and processes using Power Automate.

Template

A pre-designed workflow that can be customized to meet specific needs, providing a starting point for automation.

PDF (Portable Document Format)

A file format developed by Adobe that captures document text, fonts, images, and vector graphics in a device-independent manner.

Dialog Box

A small window that prompts the user to make a decision or enter additional information.

Flow

A series of automated steps that are executed in a specific order to complete a task or process.

Execution Confirmation Message

A notification that appears after a flow has been executed, confirming the completion of the task.

Image Extraction

The process of retrieving images from a document, such as a PDF, for use in other applications or for storage.

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You can then customize this flow by modifying it according to your needs.

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Let's start by launching the power automate desktop application from the shortcut

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to access the templates offered by power automate,

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select example from the home screen.

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The templates are then classified by themes.

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In our case, we will look at the available templates related to PDF files.

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A list of templates will be presented with a title, a description

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and a level of technicality.

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Let's try the flow that automates the extraction of images from a PDF.

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Generally, when we have this need, we tend to open a PDF for example,

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a product marketing file and try to right click on

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the image to save it but it often doesn't work.

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We then follow the good old technique of a screenshot

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defining a selection frame often imprecise

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and yet we have only one image to capture in this PDF.

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That's where power automate comes into play

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from the template that interests you, you generate a copy of the flow

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rename it and it will be available and editable in the my flows menu.

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Let's test this template copy as is

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upon execution. A dialog box will ask you to select the PDF file to process

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point to your marketing sheet and click extract

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a second dialogue box will then ask you to

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specify a target folder to save the extracted images,

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select your desktop and create a folder.

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After a few moments,

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a folder containing all the images from the PDF will appear on your desktop.

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Perfect

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to modify the terms in our flow and add a confirmation message at the end of it,

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go to my flows and the pencil icon allows you to edit

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on the screen. You will see the structure of your flow.

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Choose to modify the first form block using the three little dots.

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You can customize your dialogue box label here.

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Just click the designer button to access form attributes and make your update.

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In this example, we leave everything as default

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to add an execution,

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confirmation message type message in the left column and drag

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the corresponding action to the end of the flow.

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Customize the title and message of the box

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specify that images from protected PDF S will not be extracted.

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Finally customize the extract images from a PDF action

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by modifying the prefix of the saved image names.

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You can specify a range of pages to extract or a specific page.

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Here we keep all the pages

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test again.

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After executing the flow and the confirmation message,

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you will see that the specified folder contains all the images from the PDF.

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You only need to sort and keep the ones that interest you.

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The flow is 100% operational.

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