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Session Id : J+qV+802AV7IUZDPvR7yrq
Power Automate - Power Automate Desktop
Answered

Making a timer

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Posted on 11 Aug 2021 02:45:19 by

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.


  • Community Power Platform Member Profile Picture
    on 18 Aug 2021 at 07:23:17
    Re: Making a timer

    Oh ok,
    Thanks

  • MichaelAnnis Profile Picture
    5,721 Moderator on 18 Aug 2021 at 05:22:55
    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. 

  • Community Power Platform Member Profile Picture
    on 18 Aug 2021 at 03:01:04
    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

  • MichaelAnnis Profile Picture
    5,721 Moderator on 13 Aug 2021 at 06:20:33
    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. 

  • Community Power Platform Member Profile Picture
    on 13 Aug 2021 at 02:53:46
    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

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

    MichaelAnnis_0-1628789091512.png

     

    MichaelAnnis_1-1628789127319.png

     

  • Community Power Platform Member Profile Picture
    on 12 Aug 2021 at 16:15:04
    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-

    Lightning_125_0-1628784809975.png

    So, if I will do it in the morning, will it not bother AM or PM?
    Note: I use 12 Hrs Clock format

    Thanks

  • Community Power Platform Member Profile Picture
    on 12 Aug 2021 at 16:10:52
    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!

  • Verified answer
    MichaelAnnis Profile Picture
    5,721 Moderator on 12 Aug 2021 at 15:41:49
    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:

    MichaelAnnis_0-1628782601248.png

     

     

    MichaelAnnis_1-1628782618873.png

     

     

    MichaelAnnis_2-1628782632432.png

    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):

    MichaelAnnis_3-1628782852903.png

    and it worked.  So just watch your FormattedDateTime and make sure it is showing up how you expect it to.

     

    Good luck.

     

     



  • Community Power Platform Member Profile Picture
    on 12 Aug 2021 at 15:23:42
    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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