SharePoint SitePages Library and Pages - unable to create Rules or Workflow

Hi @lgonyea,

Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A forum.

I completely understand why this behavior feels inconvenience, especially since classic SharePoint Alerts have been around for so long and Site Pages doesn’t behave quite like a normal library. Let me walk you through how things work now and what your best alternatives are.

To start, you are absolutely correct that classic SharePoint Alerts are being retired in phases, with full retirement planned for July 2026. Because of this, Microsoft now recommends using SharePoint Rules for simple, item‑level notifications or Power Automate for more flexible and reliable workflows. Reference: SharePoint Alerts retirement.

However, this is where the Site Pages library works differently. Even though Rules are available in most modern lists and standard document libraries, Site Pages is a special system library that stores modern .aspx pages. As a result, the “Automate > Rules” option typically does not appear there. In these cases, Power Automate is the recommended and dependable replacement for receiving notifications when pages change. Reference: Create a rule to automate a list or library.

Regarding the “No flows available” message, please don’t worry, this simply means no flows are currently connected to that library. You can either select Create a flow directly from the menu or create one from make.powerautomate.com using the SharePoint triggers.

Here are the options you can consider:

Option 1: Use Rules (for regular lists and libraries):

If you are working in any list or library other than Site Pages, Rules are ideal for lightweight scenarios such as “notify me when an item is created or modified.” Just make sure you have Contribute permissions to set up Rules.

Option 2: Use Power Automate for the Site Pages library (recommended):

Power Automate supports triggers like “When a file is created or modified (properties only)” for all document libraries, including Site Pages. This allows you to fully recreate and even enhance what classic Alerts used to do.

If Site Pages does not appear in the Library Name dropdown when creating your flow, you can simply use the library GUID. This is expected behavior, and using the GUID ensures the trigger binds correctly.

Here are the steps to replace your legacy Site Pages Alert with Power Automate:

1/ Create an automated cloud flow:

• Go to Power Automate > Create > Automated cloud flow.
• Trigger: SharePoint > When a file is created or modified (properties only).
• Set the Site Address.
• For Library Name, select Site Pages; if it does not appear, paste the library GUID (find it under Site Pages > Library settings, then copy the GUID from the URL and remove %7B / %7D).
• References: Microsoft SharePoint Connector in Power Automate / Site Pages library in Power Automate Flow.
  Note: Microsoft provides this information only as a convenience to users. These websites are not controlled by Microsoft, and Microsoft does not guarantee the quality, security, or suitability of any software or information on them. It is important to fully understand the risks involved before using any of the suggestions in the links above.

2/ Scope the changes to what you care about:

• Scope notifications to the changes you care about Add a Condition, such as filtering by file name or checking metadata like Promoted State or Page Status. This helps keep your notifications meaningful and avoids unnecessary noise.

3/ Send the notification:

In the Yes branch of your Condition, add Outlook > Send an email (V2). You can include dynamic values like the page name, who modified it, its link, or even version details. This closely mirrors classic Alerts but offers richer content.

4/ (Optional): Create a daily or weekly digest instead of per‑change alerts:

• Build a Scheduled flow (daily/weekly).
• Use Get files (properties only) filtered to items modified since the last run.
• Compile the results into an HTML table.
• Send one summary email instead of multiple individual alerts.

This approach is great if you want fewer emails but still want full visibility.

Furthermore, to ensure you receive the most accurate and expert guidance, if you have any questions about Power Automate process, I recommend posting your query on the Find Answers | Microsoft Power Platform Community

This forum is dedicated to Power Platform and is supported by a knowledgeable community, including Microsoft experts and partners. By posting there, you'll have access to more specialized resources and insights, which can help resolve your issue more effectively.

I suggest this route because our resources on Power Platform are limited, and we want to avoid providing incomplete or inaccurate information. The Power Platform Community is the best place to get targeted help and also allows others to learn from your experience.

I hope this helps you move forward smoothly. If you have more questions or need further clarification, feel free to leave a comment here and I’ll be happy to continue supporting you.

Thank you for your patience and understanding, and I look forward to assisting you further.

Wishing you and your family a joyful and prosperous New Year.

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