Concepts
Running desktop flows in Microsoft Power Automate can greatly improve your automation capabilities. With desktop flows, you can automate tasks that involve interactions with desktop applications or user interfaces. When working with desktop flows, you have the option to run them attended or unattended, depending on your specific requirements and use case. In this article, we will explore the considerations for running desktop flows attended versus unattended.
Attended Desktop Flows:
Attended desktop flows are executed while a user is actively present on the machine. These flows are typically initiated by the user or triggered by specific events like opening an application or clicking a button. Here are some considerations for running attended desktop flows:
- User Interaction: Attended flows require user interaction, as they are designed to assist users with their tasks. The flow may involve displaying pop-up messages, requesting input from the user, or navigating through different application windows. These interactions can provide valuable feedback and allow users to make informed decisions during the automation process.
- Screen Resolution: Attended flows rely on the user interface elements of desktop applications. It is essential to consider screen resolution and ensure that the flow works correctly across different monitor setups. For example, if the application window’s position changes or the resolution is different, the flow may need to be adjusted to handle these variations effectively.
- User Presence: Attended flows assume that the user is actively present throughout the automation process. The flow may require the user to provide input at specific steps or make decisions based on real-time information. Therefore, it is crucial to consider scenarios where the user may not be available or may have left the machine, as this can impact the successful execution of the flow.
Unattended Desktop Flows:
Unattended desktop flows, on the other hand, do not require user presence or interaction. These flows are typically scheduled to run at specific times or triggered by external events. Here are some considerations for running unattended desktop flows:
- Background Execution: Unattended flows operate in the background without the need for user interaction. They can access desktop applications and perform tasks without disrupting the user’s work. It is essential to ensure that the flow does not interfere with any active user sessions or cause conflicts with other running applications.
- User Authentication: Unattended flows might need to interact with applications that require user authentication, such as entering login credentials. In such cases, it is crucial to handle the authentication securely. Power Automate provides capabilities to securely store and retrieve sensitive information, such as usernames and passwords, using the built-in credentials feature.
- Error Handling: When running unattended flows, it is important to have robust error handling mechanisms in place. Since there is no user present to address any issues that may arise during execution, the flow should be equipped to handle errors gracefully. This includes handling exceptions, logging errors, and sending notifications or alerts when necessary.
Example of Attended Desktop Flow:
To demonstrate an attended desktop flow, consider a scenario where a user needs to extract data from an Excel spreadsheet and update it in a web application. The flow can be initiated by the user clicking a button within the web application.
- Open Excel file.
- Read data from specific cells or perform calculations.
- Switch to the web application.
- Paste the extracted data into the appropriate fields.
- Submit the form.
Example of Unattended Desktop Flow:
To demonstrate an unattended desktop flow, consider a scenario where an organization needs to process incoming emails and extract relevant information automatically.
- Monitor the email inbox for new messages.
- Retrieve the targeted emails based on specified criteria (e.g., subject, sender).
- Open the email and extract the required information using text or regular expression actions.
- Store the extracted data in a database or send it to another system for processing.
- Archive or delete the processed emails.
In conclusion, whether you choose to run desktop flows attended or unattended depends on the specific requirements of your automation tasks. Attended flows provide an interactive experience for the user, while unattended flows offer background automation capabilities. By carefully considering these factors, you can determine the best approach for running your desktop flows with Microsoft Power Automate.
Answer the Questions in Comment Section
What are considerations for running desktop flows attended versus unattended in Power Automate RPA?
A) Attended flows require user presence, while unattended flows do not.
B) Attended flows can only run on local machines, while unattended flows can run on remote machines.
C) Attended flows require user interaction, while unattended flows can run in the background.
D) Attended flows cannot access sensitive data, while unattended flows have full access.
Correct answer: A, B, and C
Which statement is true about running attended desktop flows in Power Automate RPA?
A) Attended flows do not require user presence.
B) Attended flows can run on remote machines.
C) Attended flows do not require user interaction.
D) Attended flows have full access to all sensitive data.
Correct answer: C
What are some considerations for running unattended desktop flows in Power Automate RPA?
A) Unattended flows require user presence.
B) Unattended flows can only run on local machines.
C) Unattended flows do not require user interaction.
D) Unattended flows have limited access to sensitive data.
Correct answer: B and C
True or False: Attended desktop flows in Power Automate RPA can only run when the user is actively present.
Correct answer: True
True or False: Unattended desktop flows in Power Automate RPA can run on both local machines and remote machines.
Correct answer: False
What is the main difference between attended and unattended desktop flows in Power Automate RPA?
A) Attended flows require user interaction, while unattended flows do not.
B) Unattended flows require user presence, while attended flows do not.
C) Attended flows have limited access to sensitive data, while unattended flows have full access.
D) Unattended flows can only run on local machines, while attended flows can run on remote machines.
Correct answer: A
Which type of desktop flow in Power Automate RPA requires the user to be actively present during execution?
A) Attended flow
B) Unattended flow
C) Both attended and unattended flows
D) None of the above
Correct answer: A
True or False: Attended and unattended desktop flows in Power Automate RPA can both access sensitive data.
Correct answer: True
In terms of user interaction, what can attended desktop flows do that unattended desktop flows cannot?
A) Display UI elements and interact with them
B) Perform actions in the background without any user interaction
C) Both attended and unattended flows can have the same level of user interaction
D) Neither attended nor unattended flows require any user interaction
Correct answer: A
What are the benefits of running unattended desktop flows in Power Automate RPA?
A) Ability to run on remote machines without user presence
B) Can perform tasks in the background without user interaction
C) Provides full access to sensitive data for automation purposes
D) Requires the user to actively monitor the flow execution
Correct answer: A, B, and C
Identifying considerations for running desktop flows attended vs unattended is crucial! Any thoughts?
What are the cost implications between attended and unattended desktop flows?
Thanks for this informative blog! It’s been really helpful.
How about security considerations?
Great post, appreciate the insights!
IMHO, attended flows are less robust. Anyone else agree?
Does anyone have experience with error handling in unattended flows?
Honestly, I find the setup for unattended flows to be cumbersome.