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How to convert connection into connection references in the solution for the flow?

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Posted on by Dave Wi

Hello,

I have couple of flows in the solution in which different actions are using different connection with the single account. Therefore there are multiple connections utilized in the flow - which is as per the expectation.

However, I require to convert these connections into connection references - How can I achieve that?

Thanks,

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v-yiwenxie-msft Microsoft Employee on at

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Hi @dave8

Currently, MS Flow does not support converting connection into connection references in the solution.
If you want this feature to be added to MS Flow, you can go to the Ideas forum to post your request: Power Automate Ideas - Power Platform Community (microsoft.com)

Best Regards,
Community Support Team _ Kira Xie
If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

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Dave Wi on at

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Hi @v-yiwenxie-msft

Thank you for your response!

Can you please share if I can create a new connection reference and apply that connection reference to an action where currently connection is applied?

For example, "Action1" is using "Connection1" in the "Flow1" in the "Solution1", now, I create a connection reference called "ConnectionReference1" in the "Solution1" - Can I configure the "ConnectionReference1" to existing "Action1" in the "Flow1" in the "Solution1"?

Thanks,

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v-yiwenxie-msft Microsoft Employee on at

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Hi @dave8

You can create a new connection reference in solution and apply that connection reference to an action where currently connection is applied.

For example, you can create a connection reference from here and use the connection in solution flow:

This is a new function, please go to the link to see more info about it: Connection references in solutions - Power Apps | Microsoft Docs

Best Regards,
Community Support Team _ Kira Xie
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Dave Wi on at

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Hi @v-yiwenxie-msft

I have created a new connection reference, which is not an issue here, however I was unable to apply the connection reference for the action in a flow residing in the same solution.

There is no option to apply connection reference, perhaps because flow just says "Connections" instead of "Connection References" as indicated in the following screen:

Any clue?

Thanks,

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v-yiwenxie-msft Microsoft Employee on at

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Hi @dave8

It seems that you have chosen the flow not from a solution.

Because if you choose a flow not from a solution, it will only show as 'Connections'.
But if you choose a flow from a solution, it will show as 'Connection references'.

The connection references created in a solution can only apply to the flows in the same solution.

Best Regards,
Community Support Team _ Kira Xie
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Dave Wi on at

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That's true @v-yiwenxie-msft , Thank you!

does it mean that the flow must be from the original solution? actually, I have the flow in the "Solution2" which has been customized from the original "Solution1" by saving first outside the solution, therefore it has no "Connection Reference"

Also, when I added, flow from the original solution, I was able to see "Connection References", however when I tried to apply connection reference in the same flow action, the newly created "connection reference" named "Connection Reference 1" was not listed in the same solution as indicated in the following screen:

any clue?

Thanks,

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Dave Wi on at

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As per my research and trial, I can confirm that connection reference can be updated only for new flow, and not for existing flow, even if it shows "Connection References" in the flow details.

Even if I try to add new action in the same existing flow, it does not list new connection reference, it only shows connection references for the new flow.

Hope this will be helpful for others!

Thanks,

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v-yiwenxie-msft Microsoft Employee on at

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Hi @dave8

So glad that you've find the solution yourself. If you don't have any other question, could you mark your own solution to help others find it more quickly.

Best Regards,
Community Support Team _ Kira Xie
If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

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RyanCPerry 32 on at

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UPDATE: I've written a blog post descibing how to do this, along with some additional tips and tricks. See here:
https://helpfulbit.com/upgrade-flows-to-use-connection-references/

Hi. As far as I can see, this question has not been answered to @dave8 's satisfaction.

My findings: If a flow is created manually outside of a solution, it uses connections. If it is then added to a solution, it still uses connections. I cannot find a way to change this.
If a solution flow is copied, it has to be manually re-added to the solution, and uses connections.
This is very frustrating as it can cause dependency hell trying to import it to the target environment.

I have not yet found any way to convert a flow using connections to use connection references instead.
So far the only work-around I can see is to create a brand new flow and, in the case of copying, use the clip-board feature to copy the steps manually from the original flow.

Granted, connection references are still a preview feature, but if MSFT is watching the thread, these are two separate items that could greatly improve the UX:
1) The ability to copy a flow within a solution, with connection references intact.
https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Power-Automate-Ideas/Duplicate-copy-a-flow-within-a-Solution/idi-p/752370

2) The ability to update flows to replace connections with connection references.
https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Power-Automate-Ideas/Replace-Connections-in-Flow-with-Connection-References/idi-p/1229312#M26136 (Newly added).

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RyanCPerry 32 on at

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Hi Dave. Not sure if you saw post, but per response below, there is a way around this. Export and Import as unmanaged to same environment.

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