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Making a timer

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Posted on 11 Aug 2021 02:45:19 by Community Power Pla...

Hello everyone,

I am a Power Automate Desktop User

The desktop version of Automate is really great.
Actually, I want to create a system that would do the work after it's the right time.
Ex - If I want to click on a specific button at 8:40 am, so it would do that and if the time is not 8:40 it should wait, and then another button at 8:55, and so on...
So, I tried to create such a thing with the "DateTime" section with the help of "if" conditionals, but it did not work- even the time was the correct time it did not act.
Please help.

Thanks and Regards.

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Community Power Pla... on 18 Aug 2021 at 07:23:17

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Re: Making a timer

Oh ok,
Thanks

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MichaelAnnis 5,721 Moderator on 18 Aug 2021 at 05:22:55

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Re: Making a timer

Make sure you use MM for the month. Lowercase “mm” is for minutes.
I’m not sure on the day of the week.

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Community Power Pla... on 18 Aug 2021 at 03:01:04

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Re: Making a timer

Hello @MichaelAnnis,
Thanks for replying.
Actually, I wanted to ask that, for the day we take "dd" for a month we take
"mm" so I wanted to ask that whats the keyword is for days of the week? like, "Monday, Tuesday, etc.."

Thanks and Regards

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MichaelAnnis 5,721 Moderator on 13 Aug 2021 at 06:20:33

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Re: Making a timer

Look at the screenshot you first sent. The current datetime is 23:38, but when you set it to hh:mm, it changed it to 09:38. All I am saying is to make the “convert to text” HH:mm, so that your trigger can differentiate between 09:38 and 21:38. If you still need hh:mm for another variable, you can create that as a separate output, but for the purpose of this trigger, I recommend 24 hour format (HH:mm) so there is no confusion.

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Community Power Pla... on 13 Aug 2021 at 02:53:46

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Re: Making a timer

Hi there,
But I use a 12-hour clock format and if I mention there hours, it will ultimately not work.
So, is there any other way?
Or I will have to change my format to 24 hrs clock?
Or maybe I can only run it in the morning?

Thanks

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MichaelAnnis 5,721 Moderator on 12 Aug 2021 at 17:25:47

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Re: Making a timer

It will do it both times. Better to use capital HHs to secure a 24-hour time frame so it only runs when you want to:

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Community Power Pla... on 12 Aug 2021 at 16:15:04

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Re: Making a timer

Hello again,
The problem is solved but I wanted to ask that how do I mention "AM" and "PM" in the program?
As here you can see it is night/pm now-
So, if I will do it in the morning, will it not bother AM or PM?
Note: I use 12 Hrs Clock format

Thanks

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Community Power Pla... on 12 Aug 2021 at 16:10:52

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Re: Making a timer

Hi @MichaelAnnis
Thank you so much!

The problem was with me, instead of selecting, "%FormattedDateTime%"
I was selecting, "CurrentDateTime" 😅Sorry for that.

And thanks!

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Verified answer

MichaelAnnis 5,721 Moderator on 12 Aug 2021 at 15:41:49

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Re: Making a timer

Yeah, FormattedDateTime is correct...the 3 is because this is my "Test" workflow where I troubleshoot all my issues here. I actually messed up in the screenshot below because the time variable is saved to 3, the first one has the 3, and the second one doesn't. I simply have 3 FormattedDateTime variables in all of the subflows. That is all. I can provide more screenshots of the underlying setup:

And then, instead of "click UI element", I didn't have anything to do, so I said display message box, and the second my computer clock changed to the right time, the message box came up.

Here are my variables (when I ran it just now, changing it to 9:40):
and it worked. So just watch your FormattedDateTime and make sure it is showing up how you expect it to.

Good luck.

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Community Power Pla... on 12 Aug 2021 at 15:23:42

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Re: Making a timer

No no, I have done it correctly and I knew that.
🤔 Sorry to ask but is it possible for you to record the program while you are making it??

As there is a little difference between my program and your:
In your program, you have taken- %FormattedDateTime3%

But, in my program, I have taken- %FormattedDateTime%

So, what's the 3 for?

Thanks And Regards.

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