Custom Connectors for Power Automate: GUI vs. Code
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Power Automate
Jun 29, 2023 5:48 AM

Custom Connectors for Power Automate: GUI vs. Code

by HubSite 365 about Timo Pertilä (Forward Forever) [MVP]

Power Platform Consultant, Microsoft Business Applications MVP

Citizen DeveloperPower SelectionPower AutomateLearning Selection

When we are developing our apps and flows, sometimes we need to access 3rd party services that provide useful information or resources: currency exchange rates,

Power Automate offers custom connectors that help in developing apps and flows necessitating access to 3rd party services like currency exchange rates, text translation, or document conversion. Normally, the HTTP connector is used, which requires specification of request method, headers, parameters, and authentication method. However, due to its complexity, many developers may not be comfortable using the HTTP connector. To ease this, custom connector is used to connect with APIs, allowing easier access to 3rd party services for makers. After defining the custom connector once, any maker can select it in Power Automate flow editor and use it like a built-in connector.

  • Power Automate develops apps and flows
  • It uses HTTP connector to access 3rd party services
  • The HTTP connector requires specification of request method, headers, parameters, and authentication method
  • Some developers may find using the HTTP connector complicated
  • Custom connector is used to solve this issue and permit easier access to 3rd party services
  • Once defined, custom connector can be selected and used like a built-in connector in Power Automate flow editor

More on Custom Connectors in Power Automate

Custom connectors in Power Automate serve as a lifeline for developers requiring access to third-party services. Not just helpful in connecting with APIs, these connectors reduce complexity and ease the overall process of app and flow development. The main advantage of a custom connector is it only needs to be defined once. After its definition, the makers can freely use it in Power Automate flow editor just like any built-in connector. It's a powerful feature that enhances Power Automate's usability and simplicity.

Read the full article Custom Connectors for Power Automate: GUI vs. Code

Learn about Custom Connectors for Power Automate: GUI vs. Code

Custom connectors for Power Automate are a great way to access third-party services, such as currency exchange rates, text translation, and document conversion, within a flow. Rather than having to configure the HTTP connector with the request method, headers, parameters, and authentication method, custom connectors can be created and shared among multiple users. This allows makers to use the custom connector in the Power Automate flow editor as if it was a built-in connector. When creating custom connectors, makers have two options: using the GUI or writing code. The GUI option allows makers to quickly create a custom connector with the help of a wizard. The wizard walks makers through the steps of setting up the authentication, defining the various operations, and setting the scope of the connector. This is a great option for makers who want to quickly create a custom connector with minimal coding knowledge. The code option gives makers more control and flexibility when creating a custom connector. Makers can write code to define the parameters and authentication methods, as well as the operations that will be available in the custom connector. This option is more suitable for makers who have a good understanding of coding and APIs. Overall, custom connectors for Power Automate offer makers an easy way to access third-party services within a flow. The GUI and code options provide makers with different levels of control and flexibility when creating custom connectors.

More links on about Custom Connectors for Power Automate: GUI vs. Code

Getting Started with Custom Connectors for Microsoft Power ...
Mar 11, 2020 — In such cases, a custom connector is required that can get the job done in the exact manner required. Fortunately, both Power Automate and Power ...
Building Custom Connectors for Power Apps and ...
Aug 28, 2020 — Custom Connectors are a wrapper around Web API or Azure functions. Azure functions in simple terms is your code base hosted on Azure. You can ...
Building a custom connector in Power Platform
So let's start by going to make.powerautomate.com to create a new custom connector. We'll want to select more in the left hand menu and then select discover all ...

Keywords

"Power Automate Custom Connectors, API Connectors, HTTP Connectors, HTTP Request Methods, HTTP Headers, HTTP Parameters, Authentication Method, Citizen Developers, Flow Editor, 3rd Party Services"