Exercise- Get familiar with Power Automate for desktop

  • 10 minutes

Note

Make sure that you complete Lab 1: Prerequisite - Install required software to the latest version of Power Automate for desktop.

Note

To complete the exercises, you need to use a few files. Download the RPA in a Day files for use in this module. Extract the contents of this download to your local computer.

To get more familiar with the Power Automate for desktop app, follow these steps.

  1. Launch the Power Automate for desktop app from your computer and then sign in to your account.

    Screenshot of the Power Automate welcome screen.

  2. Select the Environments dropdown menu in the upper part of the page to change your environment to the appropriate one.

    Screenshot of the environment selector.

  3. Select the + New button in the upper-left corner of the page and choose the Flow option to create a new Power Automate desktop flow.

    Screenshot of the create a new flow button.

    Note

    You'll notice options for enabling both Power Fx and Repair flow errors features. These options are not utilized in this learning path and may inhibit your progress if enabled. After becoming comfortable with Power Automate desktop, you can enable these features in the future to expand your abilities when building flows.

  4. Within the Create a flow dialog, in the Flow name field, name the new flow testing. Then, in the lower-right corner of the dialog, select Create.

    Screenshot of the Build a flow dialog, showing the Flow name field filled in.

  5. A tour dialog appears if it's your first time signing in. You can choose to continue the tour or to skip it.

    Screenshot of the welcome pop-up window with the choices to Continue the tour or Skip it.

    Next, you're directed to the Power Automate for desktop designer, which consists of the following toolbars and panes:

    • A: Toolbar - Contains basic operations for use with actions (Save, Undo, Copy, Debug, and Paste) and the Recorder option to start the recording and to control the process implementation (Start/Pause/Stop).

    • B: Subflows - Allows you to create subflows under your main flow.

    • C: Actions pane - Contains all Power Automate for desktop actions and includes a search bar that helps you find specific actions by matching the action name to the text string.

    • D: Workspace - Contains all actions added to the process so far. Functions are separated into tabs.

    • E: Copilot in Power Automate for Desktop - Contains Copilot prompt and response area for Power Automate for Desktop.

    Screenshot of the Power Automate for desktop designer with corresponding letters to the descriptions of different sections.

  6. From the tool bar in the upper part of the screen, select Save.

    Screenshot of the Save button.

  7. Close out of the testing flow that you created.

  8. Right-click or select the ellipsis (...) menu to the right of the flow and then select Delete to delete the testing desktop flow.

    Screenshot of the Delete button to delete the desktop flow.

  9. Select Yes to confirm the deletion.

Describe with Copilot (Optional)

Explore how Copilot allows you to create desktop automation flows in Power Automate simply by describing what you want to achieve in natural language. No coding, no complex configurations—just tell Copilot your automation goals, and watch as it designs a tailored solution for you. This feature is transforming the way we approach workflow automation, making it more accessible and efficient than ever before. Let's dive in and see how it can streamline your tasks and boost productivity.

  1. Start by navigating to the Home page of Power Automate Desktop.

    Screenshot highlights the Home tab of Power Automate Desktop.

  2. At the top of the Home page, select the Describe with Copilot button.

    Screenshot highlights the Describe with Copilot feature of Power Automate Desktop.

    Note

    Another method, which is not covered in this course, is the Record with Copilot function. Recording with Copilot works by recording actions you take on your desktop while listening to microphone input for clarifying instructions. While we won't delve into it here, you're encouraged to explore the Record with Copilot function to enhance your automation skills further.

  3. In the prompt window, type the following and hit Enter on your keyboard:

    Create a flow that opens Notepad and types 'Hello, World!' into it

    Screenshot displays the submitted prompt.

    After entering the prompt, Copilot will begin designing the flow.

  4. A new window will open with a desktop flow designed by Copilot. To the right of the flow designer, you can add more actions by continuing to prompt Copilot.

    Screenshot displays the submitted prompt with region.

    Review the Run application and Send keys actions, these are the flow steps developed by Copilot.

    Note

    If any Unknown action steps are added to the flow, simply right-click them and select Delete.

    Screenshot displays deleting an action.

  5. Next Save the flow by selecting the Save icon in the top left of the design window.

    Screenshot displays saving a flow.

  6. Test the flow by selecting Run from the top menu.

    Screenshot displays running a flow button highlighted.

  7. A new Notepad instance should open and a phrase like Hello, World! should populate.

    Screenshot displays hello, world in notepad.

  8. Close out of the flow designer window and select the Don't save option.

This is a simple example, but as long as you can clearly define with natural language the flow you'd like Copilot to develop, the possibilities are endless.