Start a flow only when a file is inserted into a folder

[RookAils1]

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.

[Deenuji · Accepted solution]

@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 

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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[Ahammad_Riyaz]

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.

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]

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.

[Deenuji]

@RookAils1 

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

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]

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

[Deenuji]

@RookAils1 
Follow as per below instructions:

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

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[RookAils1]

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

I appreciate the brief walkthrough from scratch.

Thanks a lot for the help. 

[RookAils1]

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]

@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

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