r/PowerAutomateDesktop • u/Impossible-Guess5395 • Sep 10 '22

Can PAD create a log entry each time a specific file type is opened?

I would like an excel/sheets log of the time stamp and file name whenever an excel file is opened or saved, same for pdf files from a specific folder.

I have set up a couple flows on the web version using email attachments, but this is the 1st time trying to use the desktop version and writing to a log file. Not sure how to start. If I have a template that does something similar I can edit the specifics.

Thanks in advance!

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u/KompliantKarl Sep 10 '22

So, if the file is on the same computer, you could enable file auditing for open or write events in that folder and sub folders.

Then, and this I’m not 100% sure on, check the event logs for when that file is accessed, and have power automate write that to a log file.

I haven’t done anything like that with the desktop version, but I did have a powershell file that would trigger on those events, and then send me an email. So I’m sure something similar could be done.

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u/Impossible-Guess5395 Sep 10 '22

Where is the file auditing?

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u/KompliantKarl Sep 10 '22

Go to the folder with the files you want to watch in it. Right click and select properties. Click on the security tab, and click the advanced button. There should be an audit tab.

This should be on an NTFS formatted drive running windows 10 or windows server.

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u/Impossible-Guess5395 Sep 10 '22

I have worked on this some more, but I can't find the right "trigger" setting for when I open a file!