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What user account runs the flow?

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Posted on by CU11121852-0

Hello, I apologize in advance for possibly trivial question, but I was unable to find a good resource on this topic.

Is there a good summary of what user account is used to run the flow in different scenarios?

1. I believe in case of a manual trigger, user account that clicks the button is the one that runs the flow.
Same probably applies for starting a flow on a selected SharePoint item.
Is it also the same for item/document created/modified?
What about an email coming into a personal mailbox?

2. In case of the schedule trigger, the creator's account will be used to run the flow. Or is it the most recent publisher?

What are other knows use cases?

Very appreciated,
Thank you, Anna.

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Building flows

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Bobby W 12 on at

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automated or schedule flows run with your account (best to use a service account to create these flows)

trigger when some one other than you triggers a flow it run with their account. they need to have the right permission and license to make this happen

process flow that run automatically when some thing happens these do not depend on license

bottom line if you create the flow it runs with your credential. if someone else triggers the flow it runs with their credential.

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ronaldwalcott 3,847 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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Here is the relevant page Change the owner of a cloud flow in Power Automate - Power Automate | Microsoft Learn

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CU11121852-0 4 on at

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To get into more details and confirm (sorry):

1. Manual trigger undoubtfully falls into the category of "manual" triggers, and hence will use initiating user's identity/access/permissions/license for the flow and all connectors inside the flow. It is possible however to change this for each connector inside the flow and run a specific connection under a different account (take advantage of the owner's premium license). Correct?

2. Selected SharePoint item trigger: flow runs under initiating user's identity/access/permissions/license for the flow and all connectors inside the flow. It is NOT possible to change identity used for a connector inside the flow. Correct?

3. Everything else (it seems to be) falls into the category of automated or schedule flows, and hence run with the identity of the "creator"/owner, which can be changed ONLY if flow is in a solution. Seems like it's better be, right?

Also, it seems like only the current owner needs a premium license for premium connectors to be used in the flow, and it is not needed for the initiators. Is this correct?

4. There is one more type I can think about which is a manual flow triggered from the Power App. I believe this one runs under the account of a "creator"/owner (despite being manual) but initiator MUST have appropriate license to all connectors used. Is this correct?

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