Connectors in Microsoft Power Platform are a set of pre-built integrations that allow for the seamless flow of data between the Power Platform and other applications and services. Connectors allow for the following capabilities:
- Data Integration: Connectors allow for easy integration of data from a variety of sources, such as SharePoint, Salesforce, and Google Drive, into the Power Platform.
- Automated Workflows: Connectors can be used in Power Automate to automate workflows and streamline business processes. For example, a connector for SharePoint can be used to automate the process of uploading a document to a specific folder.
- Customizable Integration: Connectors can be customized to meet specific business requirements and can be used to integrate with custom or proprietary systems.
- Easy to Use: Connectors have a simple and intuitive user interface, making it easy to set up and configure integrations without requiring extensive technical knowledge.
- Secure: Connectors use secure protocols, such as OAuth, to ensure the secure flow of data between the Power Platform and other systems.
In summary, connectors in Microsoft Power Platform are a powerful tool for integrating data and automating workflows, providing businesses with the ability to seamlessly integrate the Power Platform with other systems and services. They help businesses to streamline processes, increase efficiency, and improve the overall user experience.
Triggers
Triggers in Power Automate are the starting point of a workflow. They initiate the automation process when a specific event or condition occurs. There are several types of triggers in Power Automate:
- Manual trigger: Triggered by a user action, such as clicking a button.
- Recurrence trigger: Triggered at specified intervals, such as every hour or every day.
- Power Apps trigger: Triggered by action within a Power App.
- Microsoft Forms trigger: Triggered by submission in a Microsoft Forms form.
- Power BI trigger: Triggered by a data change in a Power BI data set.
- SharePoint trigger: Triggered by an action in a SharePoint list or library.
Triggers are used to automate a variety of processes and tasks, such as sending notifications, updating data, or creating records in a database. They are a key component of Power Automate workflows, helping organizations streamline their processes and increase productivity.
Actions
Actions in Power Automate are the steps that are performed after a trigger is activated. They represent the tasks that are automated by the workflow. Some common actions in Power Automate include:
- Send an email: Sends an email to one or more recipients.
- Create a record: Creates a new record in a database or data source.
- Update a record: Updates an existing record in a database or data source.
- Get a record: Retrieves a specific record from a database or data source.
- Delete a record: Deletes a record from a database or data source.
- Start a flow: Triggers another Power Automate flow.
- HTTP request: Makes a request to an external API or service.
- SharePoint: Performs actions within a SharePoint site, such as creating a list item or uploading a file.
Actions are combined to form workflows in Power Automate. They help automate a variety of business processes, such as sending notifications, updating records, or creating reports. By using actions, organizations can improve productivity, save time, and streamline their processes.
Licensing Options
The licensing options for Power Automate connectors vary depending on the type of connector and the services it accesses. Some connectors are included with Power Automate licenses, while others may require additional licenses or a paid subscription to the third-party service. It’s important to review the specific licensing requirements for each connector to ensure compliance and avoid additional costs. It’s also important to note that some connectors may have usage limits or restrictions, so it’s important to review the documentation for each connector to understand its capabilities and limitations.