Create and use child cloud flows including how to pass data to a child cloud flow and return data back

Child cloud flows are a powerful feature in Microsoft Power Automate that allow you to create modular and reusable automation components. They enable you to pass data to a child cloud flow, perform specific actions, and return the resulting data back to the parent flow. In this article, we will explore how to create and use child cloud flows, as well as how to pass and retrieve data from them.

Getting Started

To get started, let’s create a new cloud flow by navigating to the Power Automate website and clicking on the “Create” button. Choose the “Automated – from blank” option to start building from scratch. Once you have selected the trigger for your flow, you can proceed to add the necessary actions.

Creating a Child Cloud Flow

To create a child cloud flow, click on the “New Step” button, and then select the “More” option. From the menu that appears, choose “Create a new flow.” This will open a new window where you can build your child cloud flow.

In the child flow window, you can add actions just like you would in a regular flow. These actions can include connectors, conditions, loops, and other operations to perform specific tasks. For example, you can use connectors like SharePoint, Excel, or SQL Server to retrieve or update data.

Passing Data to a Child Cloud Flow

Passing data to a child cloud flow is a crucial aspect of its functionality. To do this, you need to define input arguments in the child flow. To define an argument, click on the “Data” tab in the child flow editor, and then click on the “Input” button. You can specify the name, data type, and default value of the argument. This input argument will serve as a placeholder where the parent flow can provide data.

Once you have defined the input argument, you can use it within the child flow by referencing its name. For example, if you have an input argument named “CustomerID,” you can use it to perform actions such as retrieving customer data from a database.

Returning Data from a Child Cloud Flow

To return data from a child cloud flow to the parent flow, you can define output variables. Similar to input arguments, you can define output variables by clicking on the “Data” tab and then clicking on the “Output” button. Specify the name and data type of each output variable. You can assign values to these variables within the child flow, and they will be returned to the parent flow for further processing.

Configuring the Child Cloud Flow Action in the Parent Flow

To pass data to a child cloud flow, return the output, and use it in the parent flow, you need to configure the child flow action in the parent flow. Click on the action that triggers the child flow, and then click on the ellipsis (…) button to open its settings. Here, you can map the input arguments of the child flow to the appropriate values from the parent flow. Similarly, you can map output variables from the child flow to variables or fields in the parent flow.

Conclusion

By using child cloud flows, you can break down complex automation scenarios into smaller, manageable components. This promotes reusability and modularity in your workflows, saving time and effort. You can pass data to child flows, perform specific actions, and retrieve the resulting output, enhancing the flexibility and functionality of your automation processes.

In conclusion, child cloud flows in Microsoft Power Automate are a valuable tool for creating modular and reusable automation components. They allow you to pass data to a child flow, perform actions, and return the output to the parent flow. By harnessing the power of child cloud flows, you can build scalable and efficient automation solutions with Power Automate.