Microsoft Flow has grown considerably in the last couple of years and has become a serious competitor of SharePoint Designer. However, there have been some speculations about how it would eventually replace SharePoint Designer given that Microsoft Flow will be not be releasing any new versions of itself, according to the news. With recent announcements, it has become clearer how Microsoft Flow will replace SharePoint Designer and be integrated with SharePoint. Read more to find out!
Microsoft Flow connects with multiple services all at the same time. But since many business organizations that use SharePoint online regularly have started relying on automated business processes, this service has received quite a bit of attention. While trying to understand Microsoft Flow’s integration with SharePoint online, you must first know that Flow doesn’t only allow for custom flows to be created; it also is now permanently incorporated into new SharePoint lists and libraries. Further integration of the two was recently announced at a SharePoint conference.
With Microsoft Flow, you can create a simple request of approval of a particular SharePoint item or file in the library. All you have to do is follow the following steps.
1. Click on the drop-down menu
2. Click on Request Sign-off
3. Choose the individual in your organization that will receive the sign-off request
4. Write an accompanying message
5. Click on Create Flow
6. The sign off status will be automatically added to your list
7. When the item is pending, the sign-off status will show as Pending
Flows that are connected to a modern library or list will have the option to “Create a Flow” which will show you templates that can be incorporated directly onto the cloud with a SharePoint trigger. There will also be options to connect these flows with other apps besides SharePoint alone. You can choose a template that serves your business, but if you require customization, you can select a model that allows for it. After having selected a template, you will be redirected to Microsoft Flow where you can work on your flow and finalize it.
The integration of the two is expected to become even more prominent in the future. In the most recent SharePoint conference held in 2018, it was announced that built-in flow actions in SharePoint would invoke cognitive analysis in lists. This will allow for a more intelligent analysis of the content and explain whether the text contains positive feelings or negative feelings.
Flow and SharePoint together will also gain the automation of labeling as well as automate disposal of documents that are no longer essential. In addition to this, a new feature soon to be released is the out-of-the-box flow approvals for page publishing.
Are you as excited for these integrations features as we are in 2019?