Announcements
Hi Folks,
I have a canvas app connected to SharePoint via power automate. A service account is used for all connections in Power automate flows thereby removing the need for end users to have any access to backend SPO. The only challenge is when users need to download attachments/files from list/libraries. If we give the SPO URL it will return access denied for users. The flow can certainly get the file content and send it back to canvas app. Is there anyway to let the users download the file using this content from canvas app? I'm not interested in again storing this file content in other data source and give them the link.
Any suggestions?
Thank you!
HI @rbn_nue ,
Perhaps it's an option to have Power Automate send the file to the user in an Email?
Hi @BCBuizer ,
Thanks for the suggestion. We already do that for reports that take time to generate. But these attachments/file which are already available on click are expected to be downloaded on the spot.
Thanks.
Hi @rbn_nue ,
Passing files between Power Apps and Power Automate is not possible. The workaround from Power Apps to Power Automate is to pass the file name and file contents as text and then use those to create a file in Power Automate. Unfortunately there's no function to create files in Power Apps, which is why this doesn't work the other way around.
If you want users to be able to download files directly from the Power App, you'll have to share them with the user.
Having said that, you might consider creating two flows to share / unshare a file and then in Power Apps sandwich a Download function between them. In pseudo code:
FlowToShareFile.Run(File.ID); Download(File.URI); FlowToUnshareFile.Run(File.ID);
Hi @BCBuizer
Thank you for the suggestion. Will try this and let you know how it goes.
Under review
Thank you for your reply! To ensure a great experience for everyone, your content is awaiting approval by our Community Managers. Please check back later.
Congratulations to our 2026 Super Users!
Congratulations to our 2025 community superstars!
These are the community rock stars!
Stay up to date on forum activity by subscribing.
11manish 536
WarrenBelz 426 Most Valuable Professional
Haque 305
