Answered

How to create keyboard shortcut to trigger power automate desktop flow

(0) Share

Report

Posted on by robinwong

Hi all,

I created a power automate desktop flow. Is there a way to trigger the flow using keyboard shortcut? rather than opening the apps and clicking the flow?

Thanks you very much!

@PowerAutomateDesktop

Categories:

Power Automate Desktop

I have the same question (0)

All responses (11)

Answers (1)

Sort by

VIDIT 666 on at

Like (0)

Report
Copy link

Link copied!

Hi @robinwong check this link out if you can find any - Mouse and keyboard - Power Automate | Microsoft Docs

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
Verified answer

fraenK 2,125 on at

Like (3)

Report
Copy link

Link copied!

Unfortunately, you can only trigger a desktop flow from a cloud flow. PAD doesn't have local triggers to start flows yet. So you would need at least a local script which is triggered by the shortcut which triggers a cloud flow by request which starts a desktop flow through the gateway.

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
robinwong 12 on at

Like (1)

Report
Copy link

Link copied!

Hi @fraenK , thank you for the feedback. Save me time figuring it out something that is not there yet. Cheers

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
KAB25 4 on at

Like (1)

Report
Copy link

Link copied!

In theory could you make a flow with the first step to wait for a shortcut key?

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
tfiers 6 on at

Like (0)

Report
Copy link

Link copied!

yes, this is what is suggested here: https://stackoverflow.com/a/67326511/2611913

so it is possible

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
tfiers 6 on at

Like (0)

Report
Copy link

Link copied!

would be super nice if you could trigger PAD Flows from PowerToys Run ...

edit: I added a feature request to PowerToys, upvote here: https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/issues/16235

edit2: and a feature request to Power Automate itself, upvote here: https://aka.ms/AAfpdoy

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
Woong 14 on at

Like (1)

Report
Copy link

Link copied!
You can try following method.

Requirements:
1. PAD flow
2. Cloud flow
3. AHK script that calls HTTP

Steps:
Creates a Cloud flow that uses HTTP trigger and runs PAD flow.
Save the flow and get http endpoint
Install and create a Auto Hot Key (AHK) Script that calls the htttp (you can open web browser with the endpoint and than close after some delay will do)

Note:
When Hot key is pressed, AHK script will capture the input and run the code
The code will open a web browser (e.g. MS edge) and close after some delay
Cloud flow will run as it is triggered
Cloud flow will run PAD flow
PAD flow runs

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
Community Power Pla... Microsoft Employee on at

Like (0)

Report
Copy link

Link copied!

i have a work around that works for me. i enclose the flow in an infite loop start at 0 to 1 incriment 0. then i add wait for short cut key. you will have to start the fow in the app if you shutdown or reboot your computer i have been using this for awhile works pretty well. hope this helps.

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
PetrosF-MSFT Microsoft Employee on at

Like (0)

Report
Copy link

Link copied!

We can now trigger a desktop flow directly through a desktop shortcut - Run a Power Automate desktop flow - Power Automate | Microsoft Learn
A hotkey can also be assigned to the shortcut.
I hope that helps!

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
exscape 2 on at

Like (0)

Report
Copy link

Link copied!

I don't have these options despite the app suggesting I have the latest version (2.25.72.22312). All Windows updates are also installed.

Is this a Windows 11 only feature or something?

Was this reply helpful? Yes No