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Power Platform Community / Forums / Power Automate / Start a flow only when...
Power Automate
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Start a flow only when a file is inserted into a folder

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Posted on by 136

Greetings, how should I start a flow only when a file is being inserted into a folder ?
by using Power automate desktop. If its necessary to use cloud, can you demonstrate on how to start it ?

 

Any help is appreciated.

I have the same question (0)
  • Verified answer
    Deenuji_Loganathan_ Profile Picture
    6,250 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

    @RookAils1 

    If you're referring to a local machine folder rather than any SharePoint or OneDrive folder. In that scenario,

    first, install the On-Prem data gateway from the following link:

    https://powerapps.microsoft.com/en-us/downloads/

    Next, install the data gateway using the following link:

    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/data-integration/gateway/service-gateway-install 

    Deenuji_0-1710324757502.png

    Once installed, our gateway name will appear in the gateway menu as shown below:

    Deenuji_1-1710324878202.png

    Afterward, utilize the "when a file is created" trigger to select your local folder as the trigger point in the cloud flow.

    Deenuji_0-1710323986977.png

     

    Click on the three dots and select "New connection". 

    Deenuji_3-1710325288309.png

    Create your new connection as shown below, choosing the recently created gateway name from the last dropdown list.

    Deenuji_2-1710325228860.png

    Once everything is set up, select the location of your local drive folder where you want to monitor for any file uploads or creations
    Deenuji_4-1710325449065.png

    Finally, after setting up the drive folder, you can add a desktop flow to invoke when somebody creates a new file in the specified folder. The gateway will act as a bridge between your local system and the cloud flow.

    Deenuji_5-1710325724283.png

     In case if you referring OneDrive folder then you can create your cloud flow like this

    Deenuji_6-1710325821952.png

    Below is another trigger option in case if you refer share point folder

    Deenuji_7-1710325950322.png

     


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

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    If I've helped solve your query, kindly mark my response as the solution ✔ and give it a thumbs up!👍 Your feedback supports future seekers 🌟

     
  • Riyaz_riz11 Profile Picture
    3,860 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

    Hi @RookAils1 ,

    Anyway, you need to be use power automate cloud because this trigger point will be available on cloud,

    in desktop we don't have any trigger point.

    Ahammad_Riyaz_0-1710324036442.png

     

    If I have answered your question, please mark it as the preferred solution. If you like my response, please give it a Thumbs Up.

    Regards,
    Riyaz

  • RookAils1 Profile Picture
    136 on at

    Thank for the detailed step but I seem to face some issues here. I have the gateway set but I cant select my folders, it shows this error instead.

     

    RookAils1_1-1710403955708.png

     

     

  • Deenuji_Loganathan_ Profile Picture
    6,250 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

    @RookAils1 

    Did you created new connection like below and it was showed your gateway in that drop-down list?

    Deenuji_0-1710404386908.png


    your error says issue with gateway connection configuration and path you configured by default on the above screen only. Please recreate the same step again as new connections and see whether it fixes your issues.

     

  • RookAils1 Profile Picture
    136 on at

    Yes i did as instructed but may I know which password was it reffering to ?

  • Deenuji_Loganathan_ Profile Picture
    6,250 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

    @RookAils1 
    Follow as per below instructions:

    Deenuji_0-1710405507337.png

     


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

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    If I've helped solve your query, kindly mark my response as the solution ✔ and give it a thumbs up!👍 Your feedback supports future seekers 🌟

  • RookAils1 Profile Picture
    136 on at

    ahh i missed the domain name. and now it works. 

    I appreciate the brief walkthrough from scratch.

    Thanks a lot for the help. 

  • RookAils1 Profile Picture
    136 on at

    sorry for using the same thread but may I know, to have the cloud run a local Power Automate Desktop flow, do I need the Machine Runtime app installed ? bcus I cant seem to add machine because I cant install machine runtime due to not having only Windows Home.

  • Deenuji_Loganathan_ Profile Picture
    6,250 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

    @RookAils1 

    It won't support Windows Home and other windows version like Windows Professional, Enterprise is required to install machine runtime to invoke your desktop flows from cloud.

     

    Hope this helps!!

     

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

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    If I've helped solve your query, kindly mark my response as the solution ✔ and give it a thumbs up!👍 Your feedback supports future seekers 🌟

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