Saving attachments, requesting approvals, sending a notification when a form comes in: lots of small tasks repeat every day. With Microsoft Power Automate you automate them without writing code. This article explains what Power Automate is, which kinds of flows exist and how to start.
What is a flow?
A flow is an automation with a trigger (what starts it, such as a new email) and one or more actions (what happens, such as saving a file to OneDrive). Power Automate connects hundreds of services through connectors: Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, Forms, Excel, but also Gmail, Salesforce or X.
Kinds of flows
| Type | Starts when | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Automated cloud flow | Something happens | New email with attachment > save to OneDrive |
| Instant cloud flow | You press a button | Send a Teams message to your team |
| Scheduled cloud flow | At a set time | Email a summary every Monday |
| Desktop flow | On your PC | Enter data into an old Windows app |
How to start
- Go to make.powerautomate.com and sign in.
- Pick a template, or describe what you want in plain language and let Copilot build the flow.
- Check the connections, adjust the steps and save.
- Test the flow and check the run history.
A step-by-step example: save email attachments to OneDrive automatically.
What does it cost?
- Most Microsoft 365 licences let you use cloud flows with standard connectors (Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, Forms) at no extra cost.
- Premium connectors (such as SQL or HTTP) and advanced desktop flows need a Power Automate licence.
- Power Automate for desktop is free to use on Windows 11 for simple automations on your own PC.
Tips
- Start small: one trigger, one action.
- For team flows, add a co-owner so the flow doesn't stop if you leave.
- Notifications for SharePoint changes? Read notifications with rules and flows. See also Approvals in Teams.
Nederlandstalige versie: Wat is Microsoft Power Automate en hoe begin je?
Related articles
▸Get notified when someone changes a SharePoint or Teams fileSharePoint alerts are being retired. Get notified of new or changed files with SharePoint rules or Power…
▸Save Email Attachments to OneDrive with Power AutomateSave every email attachment to a OneDrive folder automatically with Power Automate. Template, custom flow and…
▸Handle shared mailbox emails in Teams with Power AutomateShow new emails from a shared mailbox automatically in a Teams channel with a simple Power Automate flow.
▸Request approval for files in SharePoint or TeamsRequest approval for a file in SharePoint, use the Approvals app in Teams or turn on content approval for a…
▸Create a Power App from a SharePoint listBuild an app for PC and phone from your SharePoint list with Power Apps, without coding. Customize, share…