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EntraID authentication in application (Excel) for data refresh

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Posted on by AG-Geoff

Hi all,

I have a local Excel file (needed in a local application), which has 2 data links (one to PowerBI and the other to another to a Teams site). I used recorder to record the data refresh, including the EntraID prompting for account.

When I run the flow I get the attached error.

Has anyone got any pointers to get this flow with authentication functioning?

Geoff

2024-03-14 15_19_23-Refresh Project Refreshable file _ Power Automate.png

2024-03-14 15_20_36-Refresh Project Refreshable file _ Power Automate.png

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Power Automate Desktop

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CU16071609-1 6,255 Moderator on at

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@AG-Geoff
Based on the screenshot error provided, it seems that Power Automate Desktop is attempting to launch Internet Explorer on your system, but it's not available. This is likely causing the displayed error.

Could you please ensure that Internet Explorer is available on your system before proceeding?

Additionally, please ensure that the Power Automate extension is enabled in your Internet Explorer browser.

The another reason could be due to organizational policies that restrict certain actions

Thanks,
Deenuji Loganathan
🤖Automation Evangelist
Deenuji - Follow me on LinkedIn

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AG-Geoff 39 on at

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Hi Deenuji,

The step is configured to attach to Internet Explorer and not launch Internet Explorer with the URL (as per screen shots). This was captured during the recording using PAD.

The funny thing is that I can't see any recognisable web browser process launched by Excel (whether Edge or Edge Web View). Looking at Process Explorer and capturing logs in Process Monitor, I think the actual process is "Microsoft.Mashup.Container.Loader.exe", but will need to do some web tracing to be sure.

I will perform more captures and testing, but wondering if anyone has dealt with this before?

Maybe I'll try changing the step to attach to Microsoft.Mashup.Container.Loader.exe instead.

Geoff
AG-Geoff 39 on at

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I just noted that I have PowerFX preview enabled.

I'm not sure whether that plays a part in this or not...🤔
AG-Geoff 39 on at

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Attached is the recorder steps, and it is identical each time. I wonder why it is the case that PAD thinks Internet Explorer is being instantiated.

If I launch iexplore.exe outside this process, then MS Edge launches.
AG-Geoff 39 on at

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Update on this issue. I've raised a support case...

There is a thought that this might be a result of not having the PAD Extension installed in Edge browser, so I'm attempting to go through work's process to get this approved.

In the meantime I am attempting to use UI Automation module to get the process working with inconsistent outcomes, so am working through the flow with support.
CU16071609-1 6,255 Moderator on at

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@AG-Geoff
Your error message appears to have only two possible root causes, as I mentioned earlier: either Internet Explorer is unavailable or the extension is not enabled on it.

But I am curious to see what is exact issue on your case.

Thanks,
Deenuji Loganathan 👩‍💻
Automation Evangelist 🤖
Follow me on LinkedIn 👥

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AG-Geoff 39 on at

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Hi Deenuji,

I think I've discovered part of the issue. The URL being called for authenticating contains parameters which are unique for each call, so the flow will never be able to connect to the session which is recorded.

In addition, PAD is detecting the window as a web browser, even though a web browser is never instantiated by Excel, even though a URL is being called and the result is rendered HTML.

My situation is being escalated for advice on which path we should be taking with this use case.

Geoff
CU16071609-1 6,255 Moderator on at

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@AG-Geoff
Thank you for sharing your insights regarding your issue. We're interested in seeing how you'll resolve it. If it's something that's been discussed on a commonly accessible website or application where community members can contribute, we'd be able to offer our assistance more readily.

However, since the URLs you've mentioned aren't accessible to us, we'll patiently await your workaround for the problem.

Thanks,
Deenuji Loganathan 👩‍💻
Automation Evangelist 🤖
Follow me on LinkedIn 👥

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AG-Geoff 39 on at

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Hi all,

I've been working on this issue which has stumped even MS support teams on this matter. Their last suggestion was to use 'press button on page' as part of the browser automation, but that still required a method for defining the browser instance, which has been the hurdle to overcome.

I took a look at the other options for attaching to browser instances, and initially thought that the title doesn't change so I would use that (defining an input variable on the title of the window), but then I remember that the connection always pushes the login to the foreground, so settled on connecting to the existing session connecting to the foreground window.

This combined with pressing button on web page, selecting the UI element for my user allowed the flow to complete successfully on any repetition.

I hope this helps anyone else in this situation.

Geoff