Identify how canvas apps and model-driven apps work with automation

Canvas apps and model-driven apps are two different types of applications in Microsoft Power Automate that can be integrated with automation processes. By leveraging Power Automate’s RPA (Robotic Process Automation) capabilities, developers can create automated workflows that streamline repetitive tasks and improve productivity. In this article, we will explore how canvas apps and model-driven apps work with automation, focusing on key concepts and examples.

1. Introduction to Power Automate RPA Developer exam

The Microsoft Power Automate RPA Developer exam (Exam PL-200) is designed to validate a developer’s skills in creating and managing automation solutions using Power Automate. This exam covers various topics, including working with canvas apps, model-driven apps, and RPA capabilities. By understanding how these apps interact with automation, developers can effectively design and implement efficient workflows.

2. Understanding Canvas Apps

Canvas apps are highly customizable applications that allow developers to create responsive user interfaces using a drag-and-drop interface. They are ideal for creating apps that require a visually appealing interface and interact with various data sources, including SharePoint, Excel, and SQL Server. Canvas apps provide an excellent platform for automation, enabling developers to automate repetitive tasks and integrate them with other systems.

To leverage automation in a canvas app, developers can use Power Automate. Power Automate provides a range of connectors and triggers to initiate an automated workflow when specific events occur. For example, a canvas app can trigger a flow when a button is pressed or when data is submitted. The flow can then perform tasks such as creating records, sending notifications, or updating data in external systems.

Here’s an example of how you can automate a canvas app using Power Automate:

onclick="PowerAutomate.Run('MyFlow')

In this example, the “Click Me” button triggers a flow named “MyFlow” when clicked. The flow can be configured to perform actions such as creating a new record in a database or sending an email notification.

3. Exploring Model-Driven Apps

Model-driven apps are data-driven applications that allow developers to build feature-rich interfaces based on underlying data models. These apps are typically created using the Power Apps portal and provide a more structured approach to application development. Model-driven apps are ideal for scenarios where data consistency, security, and complex business rules are priorities.

Automation in model-driven apps can be achieved using Power Automate in a similar way as canvas apps. Power Automate can be integrated with model-driven apps to automate various tasks, such as creating and updating records, performing calculations, and executing business processes. By leveraging Power Automate’s connectors and triggers, developers can create powerful automation workflows that respond to specific events and interact with multiple systems.

In this example, an input field is associated with a Power Automate flow named “MyFlow”. The flow is triggered whenever the input value changes (onChange event). This allows developers to automate tasks based on user interactions within the model-driven app.

4. Integrating Automation with RPA Capabilities

Power Automate’s RPA capabilities enable developers to automate repetitive and manual tasks typically performed by humans. RPA can be integrated with both canvas apps and model-driven apps to automate UI interactions, data entry, and data processing.

By utilizing the UI Flows feature in Power Automate, developers can record and replay human-like interactions with desktop and web applications. UI Flows can be used to automate tasks that involve working with legacy systems, web browsers, or any application that lacks an API.

For example, you can create a UI Flow to automate a data entry task in a legacy desktop application:



onclick="UIFlow.Run('DataEntryFlow')


In this example, the “Automate Data Entry” button triggers a UI Flow named “DataEntryFlow”, which performs automated UI interactions to fill in data in a legacy desktop application.

5. Conclusion

Canvas apps and model-driven apps in Microsoft Power Automate provide powerful platforms for building applications that can be leveraged for automation. By integrating Power Automate’s RPA capabilities, developers can automate repetitive tasks, streamline workflows, and improve overall productivity.

In this article, we explored how canvas apps and model-driven apps work with automation. We learned that canvas apps offer a customizable interface and can trigger flows based on user interactions. On the other hand, model-driven apps provide a structured approach to application development and can leverage automation through Power Automate. We also discussed how RPA capabilities can be integrated with both types of apps, allowing developers to automate UI interactions and data entry tasks.

By mastering these concepts and exploring the possibilities offered by Power Automate, developers can become proficient in creating efficient and automated workflows, empowering organizations to achieve greater productivity and efficiency.