Power Automate doesn't work properly in Excel online

Question

I added Power Automate un excel. The button "Flow" has appeared in Excel online, but I can't sign in there. It just does nothing.

But it worked in excel desktop 2019

On previous Friday, the button "Power Automate" appeared in Excel Online and it worked properly. (Button "flow" still was in "Data", but not working). Today, these buttons dissapeared in Excel Online. (I littrlaly didn't change any settings, why did it dissapeare?) I connected Power Automate again, and got only non-working "flow" in "data". I need it in online Excel, not desktop.

I have M365 business basic subscription.

Why is it so problematic? How can I make it work?

Answer 1

Hi Абдурахманова Аліна Арсеновна,

Welcome to Microsoft community. Thank you for reaching out.

To better assistance, could you please provide details information:

• Which browser are you using to access Excel Online? Have you tried a different browser?
• Have you cleared your browser cache or tried incognito mode?
• Can you confirm if the add-in is still listed under My Add-ins in Excel Online?
• When you click “Flow” in Excel Online, does it prompt for sign-in at all?
• Are there any errors in the browser console (F12 -> Console tab)?
• Can you confirm if the “Power Automate” button is visible in the Insert -> Add-ins section?
• Is the add-in disabled or hidden in Excel Online settings?
• Did your organization apply any recent policy changes, updates, or restrictions in Microsoft 365 or Entra ID?

In the meantime, I would recommend some steps, you could try:

Step 1: Check licensing and permissions

• Verify your license: Make sure your Microsoft 365 Business Basic subscription is active and assigned to your account via the Admin Center.
• Enable office scripts: In Admin Center -> Org Settings -> Services -> Office Scripts, ensure “Let users automate their tasks in Excel on the web” is turned on.
• Environment access: Confirm you’re using the default Power Automate environment. Flows in other environments may not appear in Excel Online.

Step 2: Restore the Power Automate button

• Re-add the add-in: In Excel Online, go to Insert -> Add-ins -> Store, search for “Power Automate,” and add it. If already added, remove it, sign out, and re-add.
• Check ribbon settings: Right-click the ribbon -> Customize -> Ensure the “Automate” or “Data” tab includes the Power Automate button.
• Sync via Excel desktop: Open the workbook in Excel Desktop 2019, sign in to Power Automate, save, and reopen in Excel Online. This may restore the button.

Step 3: Fix Sign-In issues

• Try another browser: Use other browser, clear cache/cookies, and disable extensions like ad blockers.
• Sign in directly: Go to https://make.powerautomate.com, sign in, and create a test flow using the Excel Online (Business) connector.
• Check connector status: In Power Automate -> Data -> Connections, verify the Excel connector is active. Re-authenticate or re-add if needed.

Step 4: Create and test a flow

• Open a workbook stored in OneDrive or SharePoint via Excel Online.
• Use the Flow button to create a simple flow (like “Create SharePoint item from selected row”).
• If it fails, check for error messages like DLP policy violations or connection issues.

Workarounds

• Use Power Automate directly: Create and manage flows at https://make.powerautomate.com without relying on the Excel ribbon.
• Use Excel Desktop temporarily: Since it works there, build and test flows in Desktop, then apply them to cloud-stored workbooks.

Note: Please understand that our initial response does not always resolve the issue immediately. However, with your help and more detailed information, we can work together to find a solution.     

Your detailed response will help us diagnose and investigate the issue more efficiently.
If I misunderstood what you’re looking for, feel free to let me know or share a screenshot. I’d be happy to help further!

Thank you for your cooperation.
Best regards,

Alex - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Answer 2

To better assistance, could you please provide details information:

• I used Edge. I also tried chrome - no difference
• I cleared cache
• Can you confirm if the add-in is still listed under My Add-ins in Excel Online?
• I can see button sign in. I press it > the window with account choise appear > i choose my work account > window is closing and nothind happends
• 
• No. i Have "надстройки" in "Главная" tab
• No
• No

Step 1: Check licensing and permissions

• Checked. It's ok

Step 2: Restore the Power Automate button

• Re-add the add-in: Tried. Nothing
• Check ribbon settings: Not working. Don't have right click option
• Sync via Excel desktop: Didn't worked

Step 3: Fix Sign-In issues

• Try another browser: Didn't worked
• Sign in directly: I just wouldn't see this flow in Excel
• Check connector status: I can't authenticate in power automate in Excel at all

Step 4: Create and test a flow

Once i rebooted computer. The button "Power Automate" appeared in "Automatization" tab. I worked for a while, reloaded page (F5) and it has dissapeared again

Answer 3

Hi Абдурахманова Аліна АрсеновнаThank you for your detailed reply and for testing across browsers and clearing cache. I understand that Power Automate worked previously in Excel Online but now only shows a non-functional “Flow” button under the “Data” tab, and the full “Power Automate” tab has disappeared again after a page reload.

What might be causing:

1. Microsoft service issue or rollout change: The Power Automate integration in Excel Online may be undergoing updates or experiencing a temporary outage.
2. Add-in registration issue: The add-in might not be fully registered or loaded in Excel Online, even though it appears visually.
3. Account or tenant-level permission glitch: Sometimes, even without policy changes, token or permission issues can prevent full sign-in or add-in activation.

In the meantime, I recommend some steps you could try:

1. Check Add-in status:
   • Go to https://make.powerautomate.com and confirm if your flows are listed and accessible.
   • Try re-adding the Power Automate add-in via Excel Online => “Insert” => “Add-ins” => “My Add-ins” (even if it’s not visible, try searching for it).
2. Try Incognito mode:
   • Even though you cleared cache, incognito mode can bypass some persistent session issues.
3. Reinstall the Add-in:
   • If possible, remove the add-in from Excel Online and reinstall it from the Office Add-ins store.

Note: Please understand that our initial response does not always resolve the issue immediately. However, with your help and more detailed information, we can work together to find a solution.

Your detailed response will help us diagnose and investigate the issue more efficiently.
If the issue persists, please feel free to reach out, if you have any questions or need further assistance.
If I misunderstood what you’re looking for, feel free to let me know or share a screenshot. I’d be happy to help further.

Thank you for your cooperation.
Best regards,

Alex - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist