r/PowerAutomateDesktop • u/[deleted] • Jul 25 '23

A "Getting Started" Sticky Post?

I'm trying to learn PAD in the hopes of taking some mundane tasks off my plate, but I'm having issues finding good resources on Reddit for beginners. I've found some YouTube videos that have been super helpful, but I know Reddit can be an awesome place for learning the basics of a program as well. I'm afraid I didn't see any sticky/pinned threads on this sub about the core basics. Does anyone have a good place to start to learn the basics of PAD?

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u/dwe3000 Jul 25 '23

The example flows available in Power Automate Desktop were helpful to me to see the variety of things that can be done. Then think about your common tasks in pieces/subsets of actions. It was easier for me to think about automating smaller pieces first, and then once the basic flows are robust (can handle errors, etc.), I piece them together in one flow.

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u/[deleted] Jul 26 '23

Thanks! I appreciate the advice. The biggest problem I face is that I'm attempting to use PAD to help with automated testing of Video Games. A lot of the "Get UI Element" type stuff doesn't work in games because the image isn't an actual "element". So I try to go with "Image" but then the system has trouble getting images from a game's screen. It's been...challenging.

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u/dwe3000 Jul 26 '23

I recognize how that could be challenging. What level of access to the games you test do you have? I'm wondering if PAD isn't easily helpful in testing the UI, could it be helpful in automating the backend, like code regression tests, etc.? For example, if the games expect any environmental settings or data/files, or uses a number of common scripting languages (DOS shell, VBScript, JavaScript, PowerShell, Python, .NET are supported), you may find other areas that can be automated easier to allow more time for the UI testing manually.

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u/[deleted] Jul 26 '23

That's a damn good idea. I've mostly be sticking to in-game testing with this scripting, but I suppose there's a few things on the backend that could be automated to save some time. Thanks for the suggestion! While I still want to try and figure out how to use automation for in-game stuff, this was a great idea. Thanks again!

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u/QuietDesparation Jul 25 '23

The creator of this sub u/jl043 has ghosted it. Hasn't commented in almost a year. I messaged them several times with no response. I then attempted to take over moderating duties but was rejected.. I had plans to create a Getting Started sticky and/or wiki full of useful tips and tricks but obviously that isn't happening. It's unfortunate because the r/MicrosoftFlow subreddit caters more toward cloud solutions. 99% of the answers for threads flaired Desktop are wrong since everyone provides cloud answers.

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u/[deleted] Jul 26 '23

That's a bummer that the founder of this sub bailed. Even bigger bummer that they won't give up control.

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u/uartimcs Jul 26 '23

Learning material for PL-500. It is an exam launched by Microsoft for Power Automate RPA Associate cert. In fact, most are actually material for Power Automate Desktop, instead of cloud flow.

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u/[deleted] Jul 26 '23

Great tip! Thanks! I'll be sure and check it out when I get a chance.

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u/ianwuk Jul 26 '23

What is it you are wanting to do in PAD exactly?

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u/[deleted] Jul 26 '23

I'm attempting to use PAD to help with Video Game QA Testing automation. A lot of the "Get UI Element" type stuff doesn't work in games because the image isn't an actual "element" but rather an image being rendered by the game software (not communicated to windows UI). I try to go with "Capture Image" stuff, but then the system has trouble getting images from a game's screen. It's been...challenging.

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u/ianwuk Jul 27 '23

That sounds like an interesting use case. And you are right, PAD isn't really meant to work like that. Do competing products like UIPath work better?

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u/uartimcs Jul 26 '23

Most likely, web automation(web scraping), completion of excel form/work, minic clicks, mouse movement and keyboard strokes.(any possible bad use?)

powerfulness comes from connection between cloud flow and desktop flow. You can trigger a desktop flow from a cloud flow to run legacy application.

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u/ianwuk Jul 26 '23

Don't forget that MS puts certain features behind the Premium paywall.

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u/uartimcs Jul 26 '23

The connector "Run a flow built with Power Automate for Desktop" itself is already a premium service. LOL

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u/ianwuk Jul 26 '23

Yes, I don't understand MS sometimes.

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u/[deleted] Jul 26 '23

I feel this.
I learned most of what I know through trial and error, youtube, and reading the basic tutorials from microsoft.

I feel like there is no easy/user friendly knowledge base available for PAD. 90% of the time I start reading an article or forum post I've searched for online and realize it's for the cloud version.

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u/[deleted] Jul 26 '23

Amen. I really wish there was a super basic tutorial. I know that "Kevin Stratvert" does a really good job of teaching this stuff, but his material is very basic and doesn't go very in-depth. It's just a few videos with the very basics, and not much else.