Category: Power Automate

This post is part of the New Functionality In Microsoft Power Automate 2023 Wave 2 series in which I am taking a look at the new functionality introduced in Microsoft Power Automate 2023 Wave 2.

The 9th of the new functionality in the Desktop Flows section is edit variable values during debugging.

Debugging will become more powerful and flexible as users will be able to change at-will the value of a variable during debugging to test specific scenarios.

Enabled for: Admins, makers, marketers, or analysts, automatically
Public Preview: –
General Availability: Mar 2024

Feature Details

During debugging and while the flow is paused, or when the user runs a flow step-by-step, the variable viewer window will no longer be read-only as is the case today. Instead, the respective fields will be editable, so that the user can change the current values, in order to continue debugging the flow with the new values.

My Opinion

I’ve not done much with desktop flows, but this sounds like a good enhancement which could make scenarios better.

This post is part of the New Functionality In Microsoft Power Automate 2023 Wave 2 series in which I am taking a look at the new functionality introduced in Microsoft Power Automate 2023 Wave 2.

The 8th of the new functionality in the Desktop Flows section is connect your own virtual network with hosted machine group.

Users can run desktop flows using a hosted machine group connected to their own virtual network (VNet) in order to execute RPA jobs that require access to on-premises networks.

Enabled for: Admins, makers, marketers, or analysts, automatically
Public Preview: Dec 2023
General Availability: Mar 2024

Feature Details

Users can now seamlessly integrate a hosted machine group (HMG) with their own VNet. This integration enables users to run desktop flows and execute RPA jobs that require access to on-premises networks. By leveraging their own VNet, users can ensure secure and reliable connectivity between the hosted machines and the on-premises networks.

This post is part of the New Functionality In Microsoft Power Automate 2023 Wave 2 series in which I am taking a look at the new functionality introduced in Microsoft Power Automate 2023 Wave 2.

The 7th of the new functionality in the Desktop Flows section is support scalar type variables when invoking from protocol handler in Power Automate for desktop.

Enable makers to trigger desktop flows through the Power Automate for desktop protocol handler URL silently, without the need to provide the input values through the Power Automate console.

Enabled for: Admins, makers, marketers, or analysts, automatically
Public Preview: –
General Availability: Dec 2023

Feature Details

The protocol handler URL of Power Automate for desktop will support text/number/boolean input data types. Hence, users will no longer need to manually provide those values through the Power Automate console while triggering local attended desktop flows.

This post is part of the New Functionality In Microsoft Power Automate 2023 Wave 2 series in which I am taking a look at the new functionality introduced in Microsoft Power Automate 2023 Wave 2.

The 6th of the new functionality in the Desktop Flows section is use SAP-dedicated actions in desktop flows.

SAP UI elements tend to have dynamic properties, making UI automation difficult to achieve. So, the introduction of SAP-dedicated actions aims to create a smoother maker experience and result in a more accurate attended/unattended runtime.

Enabled for: Admins, makers, marketers, or analysts, automatically
Public Preview: –
General Availability: Nov 2023

Feature Details

There are two ways to integrate with SAP: using the SAP UI or using the RFC APIs. Microsoft have recently made improvements to make working with the RFC APIs easier from cloud flows. Now, Power Automate for desktop is introducing dedicated SAP UI actions, simplifying the authoring process for makers and helping create more robust SAP desktop automations.

This post is part of the New Functionality In Microsoft Power Automate 2023 Wave 2 series in which I am taking a look at the new functionality introduced in Microsoft Power Automate 2023 Wave 2.

The 5th of the new functionality in the Desktop Flows section is inspect a UI element.

With this new component, you can view the details of all UI elements available on the screen and create better custom selectors. You can discover all the UI elements of a window in an easier and more user-friendly way and test specific actions on top of these UI elements.

Enabled for: Admins, makers, marketers, or analysts, automatically
Public Preview: Jul 19, 2023
General Availability: Oct 23, 2023

Feature Details

UISpy is a new sub-app of Power Automate for desktop. You can use it to inspect all the UI elements of your screen, check the hierarchy trees of all windows, capture the elements you desire, and test actions like click or populate without any interaction with the flow designer.

This post is part of the New Functionality In Microsoft Power Automate 2023 Wave 2 series in which I am taking a look at the new functionality introduced in Microsoft Power Automate 2023 Wave 2.

The 4th of the new functionality in the Desktop Flows section is Power Automate for desktop displays dynamic messages in the home screen.

You’re informed of valuable information regarding Power Automate for desktop in the most timely manner.

Enabled for: Admins, makers, marketers, or analysts, automatically
Public Preview: –
General Availability: Nov 2023

Feature Details

The Power Automate for desktop home page in the console has a dedicated section with important messages that inform you quickly about the product. The section displays in the home page of the console component and content is updated dynamically as fast as possible.

This post is part of the New Functionality In Microsoft Power Automate 2023 Wave 2 series in which I am taking a look at the new functionality introduced in Microsoft Power Automate 2023 Wave 2.

The 3rd of the new functionality in the Desktop Flows section is UI automation – Simulate actions.

Users may use the machine that the automation is being executed in attended mode as UI automation actions will be performed in the background, without the need to have the UI element visible on the screen. Subsequently, the user can continue their work without any interruption or issues while automation is running.

Enabled for: Admins, makers, marketers, or analysts, automatically
Public Preview: –
General Availability: Oct 23, 2023

Feature Details

UI automation actions will have a new parameter that will specify the execution mode. Execution modes will be:

• Auto
• Simulated

Auto mode is the one that currently is being used. Power Automate for desktop finds the UI element to interact with and performs the action according to the element’s type, but in most cases this is being performed with a physical step, imitating the mouse and keyboard actions.

Simulated mode will perform the action programmatically, without physical interaction with the UI element; therefore, UI elements will not be brought into the foreground, and the mouse and keyboard will not be used. The user will be able to use them. Actions supported are:

• Click UI Element in window
• Populate text field in window

This post is part of the New Functionality In Microsoft Power Automate 2023 Wave 2 series in which I am taking a look at the new functionality introduced in Microsoft Power Automate 2023 Wave 2.

The 2nd of the new functionality in the Desktop Flows section is modify desktop flows using natural language with Copilot.

The Copilot feature in Power Automate for desktop will greatly benefit makers by making flow modifications more intuitive and efficient. With the ability to use natural language commands to add, remove, or edit actions, users can streamline their workflow and save time. Copilot will improve productivity and reduce the learning curve for new users.

Enabled for: Admins, makers, marketers, or analysts, automatically
Public Preview: Mar 2024
General Availability: –

Feature Details

The Copilot feature in Power Automate for desktop will allow everyone to easily modify their flows using natural language commands. Users can add, remove, or modify the properties of one or more actions within the designer experience. This feature will greatly improve workflow efficiency and reduce the learning curve new makers. With Copilot, users can easily make flow modifications without needing to navigate complex menus or learn specific syntax.

This post is part of the New Functionality In Microsoft Power Automate 2023 Wave 2 series in which I am taking a look at the new functionality introduced in Microsoft Power Automate 2023 Wave 2.

The 1st of the new functionality in the Desktop Flows section is create desktop flows using natural language with Copilot.

Introducing Copilot in Power Automate for desktop – the new natural language feature that simplifies automation creation. Say goodbye to complex coding and hello to effortless desktop flows. Boost productivity and efficiency with Copilot today. By leveraging natural language, users can easily create desktop flows without the need for complex coding. This allows for increased productivity and efficiency, freeing up valuable time and resources for other important tasks.

Enabled for: Admins, makers, marketers, or analysts, automatically
Public Preview: Mar 2024
General Availability: –

Feature Details

The Copilot functionality in Power Automate for desktop offers a user-friendly interface that simplifies the automation creation process. With Natural Language capabilities, makers can create desktop flows by providing instructions in plain English, eliminating the need for algorithmic or pseudocode knowledge. Copilot is available in both the console and the designer, making it easily accessible. This feature is especially useful in scenarios where loops and conditionals are required, as it streamlines the process and reduces the need for complex coding. With Copilot, users can generate automations with ease, saving valuable time and resources.

My Opinion

As I said in the last article, I need to gets hands on with the copilot flow design; I am sceptical of the quality of the flows it might create and want to see how good they actually are.

This post is part of the New Functionality In Microsoft Power Automate 2023 Wave 2 series in which I am taking a look at the new functionality introduced in Microsoft Power Automate 2023 Wave 2.

The 1st of the new functionality in the Copilot for Power Automate section is use Power Automate cloud flows designer with Copilot.

Easily get started building new cloud flows by describing them in natural language. This feature supports additional actions, connectors, geo-availability, parameter filling, and explainability to make the experience even easier.

Enabled for: Admins, makers, marketers, or analysts, automatically
Public Preview: –
General Availability: Oct 8, 2023

Feature Details

Using state-of-the-art AI models like Azure OpenAI, Power Automate can take natural language as input to create flows. You can use natural everyday language to describe the cloud flow that you want, and then Power Automate creates it based on your written description of the scenario to automate.

This feature makes it easier for you to build different types of automation faster, allowing a broader population of business users to use Power Automate in a truly no-code experience.

Microsoft have added several new enhancements:

• Support for more connectors and actions. Power Automate understands natural language input to build flows that include Dataverse, approvals, and Power Apps.
• Availability in the European Union region and Government Community Cloud.
• Automatic flow parameter filling: Once you create a flow by using natural language, the flow includes the individual actions and the parameters in the action cards.
• Explainability to understand how your description of the flow translates to the different flow actions with suggested improvements.

My Opinion

I’ve not had the opportunity to use any of the copilots yet and have to admit that I am sceptical of the quality of the flows which it designs. I need to see if I can get a bit hands on with this function sooner than later.