Power Automate / Flow - Understand the Specifics and Requirements of Desktop Flows Tutorial

Discover the power of Power Automate Desktop Flows, offering new automation possibilities for web and desktop applications. This tutorial explores how to access and navigate the desktop flow environment, from installation to creating and managing flows. Learn to automate clicks, data entry, application launches, and OCR analysis with ease. Get started and unleash the potential of desktop automation now!

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Available in Microsoft365

Objectifs :

This tutorial aims to guide users through the process of accessing and navigating the Power Automate Desktop environment, enabling them to automate various tasks on their workstations effectively.

Chapitres :

Introduction to Power Automate Desktop
Power Automate Desktop expands your automation possibilities by allowing you to automate both web and desktop applications directly on your workstation. This tool features a different interface and specifics compared to Power Automate for Microsoft 365, enabling users to automate clicks, data entry, application launches, and even perform OCR analysis.
Installing Power Automate Desktop
To begin using Power Automate Desktop, you need to install the desktop application. There are two primary methods for installation: 1. **Microsoft Store**: Search for 'Power Automate' in the Microsoft Store and download the application. 2. **Power Automate Web App**: Log into your Microsoft 365 account, navigate to the Power Automate web app, and under the 'Create' menu, you will find a direct download link by clicking the 'Install' button at the top right. After installation, you may be prompted to install a browser extension if you wish to automate web flows. Restart your computer to access Power Automate.
Launching and Navigating the Application
Once installed, you can launch the application or initiate a desktop flow from Power Automate online. This action opens the desktop version and prompts you to name your flow. You will then see a blank canvas in a dedicated window in front of the main application window. To record actions, you can drag and drop actions from the left column or trigger an action recording.
Preparing Your Automation
It is crucial to prepare your automation in advance by clarifying the flow's objective and the steps to include. In the main window of the desktop application, you will find a home page featuring an introductory video and a guided tour of the environment, as well as the option to create a flow via the canvas. If you are not comfortable creating flows from scratch, consider using predefined flows, which are excellent for discovering the capabilities of desktop flows.
Accessing Resources and Community Support
Scrolling down the home page, you will find access to tutorials, links to documentation, the community forum, and a list of new features. Your flow list will be available under 'My Flows'. Note that managing sharing and collaboration is subject to a license, which may limit your capabilities compared to the classic version of Power Automate. Additionally, a library of complete and predefined examples categorized by themes is available, perfect for getting started with desktop flows.
Conclusion
You are now ready to begin automating local actions on your user workstation using Power Automate Desktop. This tool provides a robust platform for enhancing productivity through automation, making it easier to manage repetitive tasks efficiently.

FAQ :

What is Power Automate Desktop?

Power Automate Desktop is a tool that allows users to automate tasks on their local workstation, enabling automation of both web and desktop applications.

How do I install Power Automate Desktop?

You can install Power Automate Desktop through the Microsoft Store or by accessing your Microsoft 365 account and downloading it from the Power Automate web app under the create menu.

What types of tasks can I automate with Power Automate Desktop?

You can automate various tasks such as clicks, data entry, application launches, and even perform OCR analysis using Power Automate Desktop.

What are predefined flows?

Predefined flows are ready-to-use templates that help users quickly implement common automation scenarios without needing to create a flow from scratch.

Can I collaborate with others on my flows?

Yes, but managing sharing and collaboration is subject to licensing limitations, which may restrict some functionalities compared to the classic version of Power Automate.

Where can I find tutorials and documentation for Power Automate Desktop?

You can access tutorials, documentation links, and community forums directly from the Power Automate Desktop application, which provides resources to help you get started.

Quelques cas d'usages :

Automating Data Entry Tasks

In a finance department, employees can use Power Automate Desktop to automate repetitive data entry tasks, such as inputting invoice details into accounting software, which can significantly reduce errors and save time.

Web Scraping for Market Research

A marketing team can utilize Power Automate Desktop to automate the process of scraping data from competitor websites, gathering information on pricing and product offerings, which can inform their own marketing strategies.

Streamlining Report Generation

In a sales organization, Power Automate Desktop can be used to automate the generation of weekly sales reports by pulling data from various sources and compiling it into a formatted document, improving efficiency and accuracy.

Automating Customer Support Responses

Customer support teams can implement Power Automate Desktop to automate responses to common customer inquiries by integrating with email and chat applications, allowing for quicker response times and improved customer satisfaction.

Managing Software Updates

IT departments can use Power Automate Desktop to automate the process of checking for software updates across multiple workstations, ensuring that all systems are up-to-date without manual intervention.

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 local workstation, allowing for automation of web or desktop applications directly.

OCR (Optical Character Recognition)

A technology that converts different types of documents, such as scanned paper documents, PDF files, or images captured by a digital camera, into editable and searchable data.

Microsoft Store

An online marketplace for Microsoft products and applications, where users can download and install software.

Flow

A sequence of automated actions that are triggered by specific events or conditions within Power Automate.

Canvas

The workspace within Power Automate Desktop where users can design and build their automated flows by dragging and dropping actions.

Predefined Flows

Templates of automated workflows that are ready to use, allowing users to quickly implement common automation scenarios without starting from scratch.

Community Forum

An online platform where users can ask questions, share knowledge, and discuss topics related to Power Automate and its functionalities.

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They allow you to automate web

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or desktop applications directly on your workstation

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with an interface and specifics different from

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those of power automate for Microsoft 365

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you can automate clicks data entry application launches or even OCR analysis

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note that some features may require a premium license. In

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this tutorial.

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We will explore how to access and navigate the desktop flow environment

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to begin. You will need to install the desktop application.

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The first option is to go through the Microsoft store.

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Search for power automate and download the application

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alternatively from your M S3 165 account in the power automate web app.

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Under the create menu.

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You will find a direct download link by clicking the install button at the top right.

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Install the application and wait a few minutes. Usually between 1 to 3 minutes,

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you will then be prompted to install an extension in your browser.

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If you wish to automate web flows and restart your computer

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to access power automate,

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you can launch the application or initiate

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a desktop flow from power automate online

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which will open the desktop version and prompt you to name your flow,

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you will then access a blank canvas in a

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dedicated window in front of the main application window

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from there to record actions,

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you can drag and drop actions from the left column or trigger an action, recording

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the flow can be saved or modified at any time.

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It is important to prepare the automation in advance

00:01:46

by clarifying the flow's objective and the steps to include

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in the main window of the desktop application,

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you will find a home page with an

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introductory video and a guided tour of the environment

00:01:58

as well as the option to create a flow via the canvas.

00:02:01

If you are not comfortable consider using predefined flows which are

00:02:06

a good choice for discovering the possibilities of desktop flows,

00:02:09

scrolling down. You will access tutorials links to documentation,

00:02:14

the community forum and the list of new features.

00:02:17

Your flow list will be available under my flows.

00:02:21

The section managing sharing and collaboration is subject to a license,

00:02:25

meaning you are more limited compared to the classic version of power automate.

00:02:30

You will also find a library of

00:02:32

complete and predefined examples categorized by themes.

00:02:35

Perfect for getting started with desktop flows.

00:02:39

You are now ready to begin automating local actions on your user workstation.

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