How to Create Zip Files via Power Automate

Key insights

 

Learn to Integrate Azure and Power Platform: The tutorial provides insights into creating an Azure Function for file compression, delivering a practical guide on implementing this for various storage and sharing platforms such as SFTP, Blob, email, OneDrive, or SharePoint.


Step-by-Step Function Testing: It details the process of testing the Azure Function directly within the Azure portal, ensuring that users can validate their setup before deploying it within Power Automate or Logic Apps workflows.

Building Fusion Solutions: Viewers are shown the possibilities of creating fusion solutions, combining low code and pro code elements using the Microsoft Stack, extending functionality within their tech environments.

Guided Code Deployment: The video walks through the creation of the Azure Function on the Azure portal, complete with the presentation of the necessary C# code to enable the function.


Real-World Application: A demonstration on integrating the function into Power Automate is given, providing a clear depiction of how to programmatically add files to a zip and reviewing the flow history and contents of the created zip file.

• Creating an Azure Function for file compression
• Testing the function within the Azure portal
• Fusion solutions: combining low code and pro code via Microsoft Stack
• Using the function from Power Automate or Logic Apps
• Reviewing flow history and zip file content

A Deeper Dive into Azure Functions and Power Platform

Azure Functions offer a serverless solution which allows you to write less code, maintain less infrastructure, and save on costs. In the context of the video, the specific focus on file compression showcases only a fraction of its capabilities. When integrated with the Power Platform, these functions further simplify automation processes across various services, enhancing productivity.

Power Automate and Logic Apps bring a more visual approach to automation, making it accessible to a spectrum of users from no-code enthusiasts to professional developers. Through the video's guidance, businesses can streamline file management workflows by leveraging Azure Functions within these platforms, marrying flexibility with efficiency.

The tutorial emphasizes the power of the Microsoft ecosystem to solve practical problems and encourages users to explore and blend the various offerings—Azure Functions, Power Automate, and Logic Apps—for customized solutions. This approach aligns with Microsoft's continuing investment in integration and interconnected services, promoting a unified operational experience.


In a recent YouTube video by Damien Bird [MVP], viewers are shown how to create an Azure Function designed to zip files, which is especially useful when integrating with Power Automate or Logic Apps. The tutorial demonstrates the process of accepting an array of files in base64 format and producing a compressed or zip file. This functionality is critical for consolidating files from various sources and transferring them to diverse destinations, including SFTP, Blob, email, OneDrive, or SharePoint.

Damien guides the audience through testing the Azure Function directly from the Azure portal. He then explains how the function can be utilized in conjunction with Power Automate or Logic Apps to fully leverage its capabilities. The video isn't just for those looking to compress files with Azure Function; it also serves to illustrate how Azure and the Power Platform collaborate, blending professional coding with low-code solutions and expanding potential with the Microsoft Stack.

The video includes timestamps guiding viewers through key sections: it starts with an introduction to the topic, then proceeds to show the creation of the Azure Function from the portal. At the 3 minute and 11-second mark, viewers are introduced to the C# code essential for the function. By 4:58, the function's application within Power Automate is demonstrated. The video also addresses dynamic file addition to the zip process and concludes with a review of the flow history and zip file content.

• 0:00 - Introduction
• 0:41 - Creating the Azure Function from the portal
• 3:11 - The C# code for the function
• 4:58 - Using the function from Power Automate
• 07:52 - Adding dynamic files to the zip
• 12:35 - Reviewing the flow history and zip file content
• 14:31 - Conclusion and summary

Explore Azure Function and Power Automate Integration

Creating an Azure Function to manage file compression opens up a new avenue for users to handle file management tasks efficiently. The synergy between Azure Functions and Power Automate empowers users to streamline their workflows, allowing for automation of file compression and transfer across multiple platforms.

By capitalizing on the integrated capabilities of Microsoft's tools, professionals can save time and resources, enhancing productivity for a range of business processes. Damien Bird's walkthrough serves as a valuable resource for anyone looking to harness the power of these tools for optimized file management solutions.

How to Enhance Workflows with Azure and Power Automate

This video tutorial covers the process of creating an Azure Function designed to zip files, which can be integrated with Power Automate or Logic Apps. The instructor guides viewers through accepting base64 file content for an array of files and generating a compressed zip file. This feature can immensely assist in various business scenarios.

Compression of files from varying sources is key when you intend to store or disseminate them to different destinations. These destinations might include SFTP servers, Blob storage, via email, or to cloud services like OneDrive or SharePoint. Understanding this process can be crucial for data management.

The tutorial also provides insight on how to test the Azure Function directly from the Azure portal. This gives users a practical understanding of deploying and troubleshooting their compression functions. Additionally, the video showcases how to invoke this capability from Power Automate or Logic Apps.

Even those who do not specifically need to compress files via Azure Functions will find value in this video. It underlines the ease of developing "fusion" solutions that blend professional and low-code approaches using Azure and the broader Microsoft ecosystem, enhancing functionality with integrated technology.

• 0:00 - Introduction
• 0:41 - How to create the Azure Function
• 3:11 - Walkthrough of the C# coding necessary
• 4:58 - Steps for using the function within workflow automation tools
• 07:52 - Techniques for adding dynamic files into the zip process
• 12:35 - Analysis of the flow history and verification of the zip file's contents
• 14:31 - Wrap-up and overall summary

 

People also ask

How do I connect my logic app to Azure function?

To connect a Logic App to an Azure Function, you typically create an HTTP triggered function and then use the HTTP action in your Logic App to call the function. You'll need the function URL, which you can obtain from the Azure portal, and if your function requires keys for authentication, you'll need to provide those as part of the HTTP action settings within your Logic App.

What is the difference between Azure functions and logic apps?

Azure Functions is a serverless compute service that allows you to run small pieces of code, or functions, without worrying about the underlying infrastructure. Logic Apps is a cloud-based platform for creating and running automated workflows that integrate with various apps, data, systems, and services. The key difference lies in their focus; Azure Functions is code-centric, while Logic Apps is a designer-first integration service with a visual designer and pre-built connectors.

What is the difference between Power Automate and Azure logic apps?

Power Automate, formerly known as Microsoft Flow, and Azure Logic Apps are both designer-first integration services offered by Microsoft, and they share a similar design experience and connector ecosystem. The differences are mainly in the target audience and pricing models. Power Automate is designed for business users and integrates with Microsoft 365, whereas Azure Logic Apps is more developer-focused, offers more advanced integration capabilities, and has a different pricing model, typically aligned with Azure services.

How do you call an Azure function from Power Automate?

To call an Azure Function from Power Automate, you can use the built-in HTTP action. Set up your Azure Function with an HTTP trigger and note the URL provided for the trigger. Within your flow in Power Automate, create an HTTP action, inputting the Azure Function's URL and configuring any necessary headers or authentication details if your function is protected. You can then pass data to the function via the HTTP request and work with the response returned by your Azure Function within your flow.

 

Keywords

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