With Power Automate, you can automate repetitive tasks and integrate workflows across different applications, both on your local desktop and in the cloud. One of the powerful features of Power Automate is the ability to run Power Automate Desktop flows from Power Automate Cloud, enabling you to trigger desktop automations remotely and manage them centrally. In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of running a desktop flow from Power Automate Cloud, helping you optimize your automation workflow.
What is Power Automate Desktop?
Power Automate Desktop is a tool that allows users to automate manual tasks on their local machines by using robotic process automation (RPA). You can automate processes like file handling, data entry, web scraping, or even running legacy applications that don’t have modern APIs.
On the other hand, Power Automate Cloud lets you automate tasks that run on online platforms such as Microsoft 365, SharePoint, or external apps like Salesforce and Twitter. By connecting both, you unlock the full potential of end-to-end automation—linking desktop and cloud tasks in a single flow.
Prerequisites
Before getting started, make sure you have:
- Power Automate Desktop Installed: Ensure that the latest version of Power Automate Desktop is installed on your machine.
- Power Automate Cloud Account: Sign up for or log in to your Microsoft Power Automate Cloud account.
- On-Premises Data Gateway: This gateway is essential for connecting cloud flows to desktop machines, allowing your cloud flow to trigger desktop automations.
Step-by-Step Guide to Running Power Automate Desktop Flows from Power Automate Cloud
1. Set Up the On-Premises Data Gateway
To trigger a desktop flow from the cloud, you'll need to configure an on-premises data gateway. This gateway acts as a bridge between your local machine (where the desktop flow runs) and the cloud.
- Download and install the On-Premises Data Gateway from Microsoft’s official site.
- Sign in with your Power Automate Cloud account during the installation process.
- Once installed, configure the gateway, ensuring it’s connected to the correct region and ready to communicate between your cloud and local environments.
2. Create a Power Automate Desktop Flow
Once your gateway is set up, the next step is to create the desktop automation.
- Open Power Automate Desktop and create a new flow.
- Add actions such as interacting with files, running applications, or web automation (e.g., filling forms, scraping data).
- Save the desktop flow after you've built your automation.
3. Build a Power Automate Cloud Flow
After creating the desktop flow, you'll need to create a cloud flow that triggers this automation from the cloud.
- Log in to Power Automate Cloud and click Create in the top navigation bar.
- Choose Instant Cloud Flow to start building a new flow.
- In the trigger step, select Manually trigger a flow or choose another relevant trigger (e.g., a scheduled flow or a response in a Microsoft 365 app).
4. Add the Desktop Flow to Your Cloud Flow
To integrate your desktop flow:
- Add a new action in your cloud flow and search for Run a flow built with Power Automate Desktop.
- In the desktop flow settings, select the desktop flow you previously created and specify the machine where it will run.
- If you have multiple machines linked through the on-premises data gateway, choose the correct one. Ensure that the gateway is listed under the Machine dropdown.
- Choose whether the flow will run in attended or unattended mode:
- Attended Mode: Requires a user to be logged in to the machine when the flow runs.
- Unattended Mode: Requires an unattended RPA license and allows the flow to run without anyone being logged in.
5. Test and Run the Flow
After setting up the cloud flow, it's time to test the automation:
- Manually trigger the flow from Power Automate Cloud (or allow it to trigger automatically if you’ve scheduled it).
- Monitor the Flow Run Status in Power Automate Cloud to confirm the cloud-to-desktop automation is successfully executed.
If everything is configured correctly, your desktop flow will run on the local machine, and you can monitor progress in real-time through the cloud dashboard.
6. Monitor Flow Runs and Logs
Once the flow is executed, you can view logs and monitor the success or failure of your automation in Power Automate Cloud. The flow details will provide you with:
- Execution status (success or failure)
- Detailed logs in case of errors
- Time taken for each step of the flow
This monitoring feature helps you troubleshoot any issues and optimize the performance of your flows.
Benefits of Running Power Automate Desktop Flows from Power Automate Cloud
- Remote Automation: You can now trigger automations on your local machine from any device and from any location.
- Scalability: Cloud flows can manage multiple desktop flows, enabling scalable and complex automations that connect local and cloud-based processes.
- End-to-End Automation: By integrating desktop and cloud flows, you can automate processes that involve both online applications and local machine tasks, making your workflows truly comprehensive.
- Centralized Control: Manage and monitor all your desktop flows through the cloud interface, making it easier to maintain and optimize your automations.
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Demo YouTube Video Link:
Watch the Step-by-Step Guide on Running Power Automate Desktop Flows from Power Automate Cloud
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