How it is possible that a non licensed user can call a power automate (which uses the Dataverse) via canvas app ?

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Posted on by R4isin

Hello all,

I've a question for my understanding of the licencing of Canvas App.

I was busy to test the possibility to use the environment variables via a Power Automate from a canvas app (for user unlicensed) linked to a SPO.
During my tests, I expected to see a difference when I try to retrieve a value from a step "parameter" (=environnement variables) vs a step "Dataverse" (= get a row from the table "xxx"). For me (and for the documentation), the first scenario can be possible even if my user doesn't have the premium licence. And for the second scenario, it will be not possible.

But I was surprised to see that even if the user doesn't have any licence (a guess user for exemple), it's possible for him to use this Power Automate and to use Dataverse (so, via this power automate, it's possible to search a record in one table or to create a new contact for example). The only thing todo is to ensure that the canvas app doesn't use the dataverse directly as datasource but via a flow...

I guess that is not wanted by Microsoft but my question is "how is it possible that a user can make this without an error ? My expectation was to have an error when he try to login to the canvas app, or at least, when he push the button which triggers the power automate with premium steps ?

Any clarification is more than welcome. Thanks !

Kr,

R4isin

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Microsoft Dataverse with Power Apps

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Drew Poggemann 9,287 Most Valuable Professional on at

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Hi @R4isin ,

Many things are possible in Microsoft applications that is not valid from a licensing perspective. As an example, I can add users to an environment and assign them a role in the Dataverse and they can do basically anything. Overall Microsoft works on a "trust" model and that customers are following the licensing rules vs. enforcing licensing rules.

I come across this on a daily basis around Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365 and the Power Platform.

Hope this helps, overall we just need to do our best to follow the guidelines in the licensing guides.

Please accept if this answers your question or Like if helps in any way.

Thanks,
Drew

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Sid_Jafri 478 on at

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Hi @R4isin

Microsoft allows to use premium connector as part of their trial license. However once the trial license expire you should consider licensing the users. Please read the article below to understand the PowerPlatform Licensing model.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/community/powerplatformlicensingforcitizendeveloper

Please Thumbs up and accept as solution if my post helped you solve your issue.

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R4isin 76 on at

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Ok thanks for your responses 🙂

If I understand well the documentation from Microsoft (Use environment variables in solutions - Power Apps | Microsoft Docs), and to be sure that I don't "break" the trust model, a user can retrieve Environment variables via Power Automate even if this user doesn't have any premium license ?

Thanks again

Kr,

R4isin

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Drew Poggemann 9,287 Most Valuable Professional on at

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Hi @R4isin ,

One of the FAQ from that article:

Are premium licenses required?
No. While ALM requires Dataverse (or Dynamics 365 for Customer Engagement), use of premium connectors is not required. The one caveat is if you're using the Common Data Service connector to interact with environment variables as you would with other data records like accounts or contacts. Previously this was the only way to use environment variables in canvas apps and flows.

Earlier in your initial question you mentioned "unlicensed user", I assume you meant on the Power Apps side for this and the user does have the appropriate Office 365 licensing to utilize Power Apps and Power Automate. The licensing guide provides these details on what is included with Office 365 licensing around Power Apps and Power Automate (here).

Hope this helps. Please accept if answers your question or Like if helps in some way.

Thanks,

Drew

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