Run a cloud flow from a canvas app

Introduction:

Microsoft Power Platform is a comprehensive suite of applications, services, and connectors that allows organizations to create custom applications and automate business processes. With Power Apps canvas apps and Power Automate cloud flows, app makers can build powerful solutions without writing code. In this article, we will explore how to run a cloud flow from a canvas app using the Microsoft Power Platform App Maker.

Prerequisites:

Before we begin, ensure that you have the following:

• An active Microsoft Power Platform account.
• A canvas app created using Power Apps.

Creating a Cloud Flow:

To run a cloud flow from a canvas app, you need to start by creating a cloud flow using Power Automate. The cloud flow will define the specific actions and triggers that will be executed when called from the canvas app. Follow these steps to create a cloud flow:

Step 1: Navigate to Power Automate:

1. Log in to your Microsoft Power Platform account.
2. Click on the ‘Apps’ button in the left navigation bar.
3. Select ‘Power Automate’ to open the Power Automate designer.

Step 2: Create a New Cloud Flow:

1. Click on the ‘New’ button to create a new cloud flow.
2. Choose the appropriate trigger for your flow, based on your requirements. For example, you can use the trigger ‘Power Apps – When an app is used’ to run the flow when a canvas app is used.
3. Configure the trigger by selecting the appropriate canvas app from the dropdown.

Step 3: Add Actions:

1. Once the trigger is set, you can add actions to be executed when the flow is triggered.
2. Click on the ‘+’ icon to add a new action.
3. Select the desired connectors and actions from the available options to define the sequence of tasks in your cloud flow.
4. Configure the actions by providing the necessary input parameters and data.

Step 4: Save and Test the Cloud Flow:

1. After defining all the necessary actions, click on the ‘Save’ button to save the cloud flow.
2. Test the flow by clicking on the ‘Test’ button and providing the required test data.
3. Verify that the flow executes successfully and produces the expected results.

Running a Cloud Flow from a Canvas App:

Once the cloud flow is created and tested, you can call and run it from your canvas app. Follow these steps to run a cloud flow from a canvas app:

Step 1: Open the Canvas App:

1. Log in to your Microsoft Power Platform account.
2. Click on the ‘Apps’ button in the left navigation bar.
3. Select the canvas app you want to use to trigger the cloud flow.

Step 2: Add a Button or Action:

1. Open the canvas app in edit mode.
2. Add a button or any other action element to your app’s design canvas.
3. Configure the button/action to ‘Run’ or ‘Invoke’ the cloud flow you created earlier.

Step 3: Associate the Cloud Flow:

1. Select the button/action element and navigate to its ‘OnSelect’ property.
2. Use the ‘Power Automate’ option to associate the cloud flow with the button/action.
3. Choose the specific cloud flow you want to run when the button/action is triggered.

Step 4: Test and Publish the App:

1. Save the changes to your canvas app.
2. Test the app by clicking on the button/action associated with the cloud flow.
3. Verify that the cloud flow executes successfully and performs the desired actions.
4. Once you are satisfied with the app’s functionality, publish it for wider use.

Conclusion:

Microsoft Power Platform App Maker enables businesses to build custom applications quickly and efficiently. By incorporating cloud flow capabilities, app makers can automate processes and improve productivity. This article explained the process of running a cloud flow from a canvas app using the Power Platform. Now you can harness the power of Power Apps and Power Automate to create seamless and automated solutions within your organization.