How Do I Integrate & Use Microsoft Power Automate in Excel?
Microsoft Power Automate can be integrated with Excel by connecting your Excel files stored on OneDrive or SharePoint and creating automated workflows that interact with tables and data. Once connected, users can trigger actions such as updating rows, sending emails, or collecting information automatically.
In this post, I will show you the steps to integrate and use Microsoft Power Automate in Excel, which might seem effective for daily tasks.
So let’s start!
How to Integrate Microsoft Power Automate in Excel?
To integrate Microsoft Power Automate in Excel, store your Excel file in OneDrive or SharePoint, create a table inside the workbook, then connect it through Power Automate by creating a flow and selecting Excel as the trigger or action. This allows you to automate tasks like updating data, sending alerts, and syncing information across apps.
Explore the steps in detail and connect MPA to the Excel!
Step 1: Create or Prepare Your Excel File
The first step in integration is preparing your Excel file properly. Open Excel and create or choose a workbook that you want to automate. Ensure that your data is organized in rows and columns with clear headers. Highlight your data and convert it into a table by selecting the Insert tab and choosing Table.
After creating the table, give it a clear name using the Table Design tab. This name will be visible inside Power Automate when you connect the workbook. Save the file to OneDrive or SharePoint, because Power Automate only connects with Excel files stored in cloud locations.
This preparation ensures that Power Automate can read and modify your data accurately.
Step 2: Access Microsoft Power Automate
Open your web browser and go to the Power Automate website. Sign in using the same Microsoft account connected to your Excel and OneDrive. Once logged in, you will see the dashboard with options to create flows, manage templates, and monitor automation.
Click on the Create option to start building a new flow. You can choose from different flow types such as automated flows, instant flows, or scheduled flows. Select the type that suits your needs. For example, an automated flow can run when a new row is added to Excel, while a scheduled flow can run daily or weekly.
Accessing Power Automate is the main gateway to linking Excel with automated workflows.
Step 3: Connect Excel to Power Automate
When creating a flow, search for Excel Online in the connectors list. Choose Excel Online Business if you are using a business account. You will be asked to select the location of your Excel file, such as OneDrive or SharePoint.
After selecting the location, browse to your file and choose the table you created earlier. This establishes the connection between Power Automate and your Excel data. Once connected, you can add actions like retrieving rows, inserting new data, updating records, or deleting entries.
Connecting Excel to Power Automate allows your workflows to read and modify spreadsheet data automatically.
Step 4: Choose a Trigger for Your Flow
Every automation begins with a trigger. A trigger defines when your flow should start. Power Automate offers several triggers related to Excel and other apps. You can set a trigger such as when a new row is added, when a file is modified, or when a button is pressed manually.
For example, if you want to receive an email whenever new data is added to Excel, select the trigger When a row is added. Then choose your file and table. This ensures that every time new information is entered, the automation begins instantly.
Choosing the right trigger ensures your automation runs at the right time.
Step 5: Add Actions to Automate Tasks
After setting a trigger, you need to define what should happen next. These steps are called actions. Actions can include sending emails, updating rows, copying data, or integrating with apps like Teams and Outlook.
Select Add an action and search for the task you want. For instance, if you want to notify your team about updates, choose Send an email from Outlook. Map the Excel columns to email fields such as subject and message. This ensures relevant data is included automatically.
Adding actions builds the logic of your workflow and completes the integration process.
Step 6: Test and Save Your Integration
Before using your automation regularly, test it. Power Automate provides a test feature that allows you to run the flow and confirm it works correctly. Add a sample row in your Excel table and check whether the automation triggers as expected.
If everything works properly, click Save and turn on the flow. Your Excel and Power Automate integration is now complete and ready for use.
How Do I Use Microsoft Power Automate in Excel?
Once integration is complete, using Microsoft Power Automate with Excel becomes straightforward. You can create workflows that simplify daily tasks and improve productivity. For example, you can automatically update Excel data from form submissions, generate reports, or notify team members about changes.
To use Power Automate effectively in Excel, start by identifying repetitive tasks that can be automated. These might include updating sales data, tracking inventory, or sending reminders. Create flows that handle these tasks automatically so you can focus on more strategic work.
Another useful feature is using Excel as a data source for approvals and notifications. For instance, when a new entry is added to a project tracker in Excel, Power Automate can send an approval request to a manager. Once approved, the spreadsheet can update automatically. This feature, I love the most in my tasks!
You can also connect Excel with other Microsoft tools such as Microsoft Teams, Outlook, and SharePoint. This allows seamless data sharing across platforms. For example, when data changes in Excel, a Teams message can be sent instantly to notify the team.
Power Automate also supports scheduled tasks. You can create flows that run at specific times to update Excel sheets, generate reports, or archive old data. This ensures consistency and reduces manual effort.
Faqs
Can I use Microsoft Power Automate with desktop Excel?
Power Automate primarily works with Excel files stored in OneDrive or SharePoint. Desktop Excel can still be used if the file is saved to a connected cloud storage location. Once saved online, it becomes accessible to Power Automate.
Do I need coding skills to integrate Power Automate with Excel?
No coding skills are required. Power Automate uses a visual interface where users select triggers and actions. A basic understanding of workflows and Excel tables is enough to create useful automations.
Is Power Automate free to use with Excel?
Power Automate offers both free and premium plans. Basic Excel automation features are available with many Microsoft 365 subscriptions. Advanced connectors and enterprise features may require a premium license.
Why is my Excel file not showing in Power Automate?
This usually happens when the file is stored locally instead of in OneDrive or SharePoint. Ensure the file is saved in a supported cloud location and contains a formatted table. Refresh the connection and try again.
Can Power Automate update Excel automatically?
Yes, Power Automate can automatically add, update, or delete rows in Excel tables based on triggers and conditions. This makes it ideal for managing dynamic data and real-time updates.