# Microsoft Power Automate

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Task automation software

Microsoft Power Automate Developer Microsoft Release November 2016; 9 years ago (2016-11) (as Microsoft Flow) Stable release(s) [±] Windows June 2026 Update (11.2606.217) / June 23, 2026; 9 days ago (2026-06-23)[1][2] Android 3.0.973 / September 12, 2025; 9 months ago (2025-09-12)[3][4] iOS 3.0.981 / June 22, 2026; 10 days ago (2026-06-22)[5] Microsoft Edge 2.68 (Build 34) / April 28, 2026; 2 months ago (2026-04-28)[6] Operating system Windows, Android, iOS Type Task automation License Proprietary software Website www.microsoft.com/power-platform/products/power-automate

**Microsoft Power Automate**, previously known as **Microsoft Flow** until November 2019,[7] is a [SaaS](/source/Software_as_a_service) platform by [Microsoft](/source/Microsoft) for optimizing and automating workflows and business processes. It is part of the [Microsoft Power Platform](/source/Microsoft_Power_Platform) line of products, which include [Power Apps](/source/Power_Apps) and [Power BI](/source/Microsoft_Power_BI).[8]

## History

On November 1, 2016, Microsoft Flow (now Microsoft Power Automate) became generally available.[9] Similar to services like [IFTTT](/source/IFTTT) and [Zapier](/source/Zapier), users could connect between cloud apps and services with automated workflows known as *flows*.

On November 4, 2019, Microsoft announced a rebranding of Microsoft Flow to Microsoft Power Automate and its inclusion in [Microsoft Power Platform](/source/Microsoft_Power_Platform) with a shift from solely workflows to also include business processes. At the same time, a number of new functions were announced, including [robotic process automation (RPA)](/source/Robotic_process_automation) capabilities.[10]

In 2020, Microsoft acquired Softomotive,[11] the makers of ProcessRobot and WinAutomation, to further expand the capabilities in Power Automate.

In 2022, Microsoft acquired Minit[12] to further expand its process mining capabilities in Power Automate.

## Flows

Power Automate allows users to create automated workflows, called "flows", that connect multiple applications and services. Flows can be triggered via events, they can run on a schedule or can be manually started, enabling tasks such as data collection, notifications, emailing and synchronization between services. It is possible to create flows using a graphical interface without coding or customize them using advanced expressions and logic for complex automation.[13]

### Types of flows

- Automated flows: Triggered by events in connected applications, such as receiving an email or updating a record.

- Instant flows: Manually triggered by a user, often via a button in the Power Automate interface or mobile app.

- Scheduled flows: Run at predefined times or intervals to automate repetitive tasks.

- Business process flows: Guide users through a series of steps to ensure consistency in business processes.

- Desktop flows: Use robotic process automation (RPA) to automate tasks on local machines or virtual environments.

## See also

- [UiPath](/source/UiPath)

- [IFTTT](/source/IFTTT)

- [Zapier](/source/Zapier)

- [Microsoft Power Fx](/source/Microsoft_Power_Fx)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Power Automate for desktop - Build 2606-update"](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform/released-versions/power-automate-desktop/2606-update). *Microsoft Learn*. Retrieved June 23, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Power Automate"](https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9nftch6j7fhv). *Microsoft Apps*. Retrieved June 23, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Power Automate"](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.microsoft.flow). *Google Play*. Retrieved June 23, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Power Automate 3.0.973"](https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/microsoft-corporation/microsoft-flow/power-automate-3-0-973-release/). *APKMirror*. 2025-09-12. Retrieved June 23, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Power Automate"](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/power-automate/id1094928825). *App Store*. Retrieved June 23, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Microsoft Power Automate"](https://microsoftedge.microsoft.com/addons/detail/microsoft-power-automate/kagpabjoboikccfdghpdlaaopmgpgfdc). *Microsoft Edge*. Retrieved June 23, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** [Microsoft Flow becomes Power Automate and other Cool Features from Microsoft Ignite 2019 - Carl de Souza](https://carldesouza.com/microsoft-flow-becomes-power-automate-and-other-cool-features-from-microsoft-ignite-2019/)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["What Are Microsoft Power Pages and Express Design?"](https://www.pcmag.com/news/what-are-microsoft-power-pages-and-express-design). *PCMAG*. Retrieved 2025-01-06.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** [Microsoft PowerApps and Flow are generally available starting tomorrow - The Official Microsoft Blog](https://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2016/10/31/microsoft-powerapps-flow-generally-available-starting-tomorrow/)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** James Phillips (2019-11-04). ["Announcing RPA, enhanced security, no-code virtual agents, and more for Microsoft Power Platform"](https://cloudblogs.microsoft.com/dynamics365/bdm/2019/11/04/announcing-rpa-enhanced-security-no-code-virtual-agents-and-more-for-microsoft-power-platform/). *Microsoft Cloud Blog*. Microsoft. Retrieved 2020-03-26.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Microsoft acquires Softomotive to expand low-code robotic process automation capabilities in Microsoft Power Automate"](https://powerautomate.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/microsoft-acquires-softomotive-to-expand-low-code-robotic-process-automation-capabilities-in-microsoft-power-automate/). *powerautomate.microsoft.com*. Retrieved 2024-01-25.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Graham, Justin (2022-03-31). ["Microsoft acquires Minit to strengthen process mining capabilities"](https://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2022/03/31/microsoft-acquires-minit-to-strengthen-process-mining-capabilities/). *The Official Microsoft Blog*. Retrieved 2024-01-25.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Introduction to desktop flows"](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-automate/desktop-flows/introduction). *Microsoft Learn*. Retrieved 2026-03-03.

## Further reading

- Guilmette, Aaron (2020). *Workflow Automation with Microsoft Power Automate: Achieve digital transformation through business automation with minimal coding*. [Packt Publishing](/source/Packt_Publishing). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1839213793](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1839213793).

- Rhodes, Jeffrey (2022). *Creating Business Applications with Microsoft 365: Techniques in Power Apps, Power BI, SharePoint, and Power Automate*. [Apress](/source/Apress). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1484288221](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1484288221).

## External links

- [Official website](https://powerautomate.microsoft.com)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Microsoft Power Automate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Power_Automate) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Power_Automate?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.