Howdy! So, Microsoft decided to shake things up a bit. If you've been using Power Apps and Power Automate for a while, you've probably gotten cozy with the V1 trigger. Well, guess what? Microsoft has decided to retire it. Yep, you heard that right, the trigger we have used for YEARS is gone. 😢 Leaving us only with this v2 trigger that works differently. But don't worry, we've got you covered on how to make this transition as smooth as possible.
What's Different with the V2 Trigger?
So, what's the big deal? How is the V2 trigger different from our good ol' V1? At a high level, the V2 trigger requires you to define the types of inputs you'll be using. Unlike V1, where you could just "ask in Power Apps" for what you needed, V2 wants you to specify whether you're dealing with text, numbers, Booleans, and so on. It's a bit more structured, but once you get the hang of it, it's business as usual.
Understanding Different Types of Inputs
Let's dive a bit deeper into these input types. When setting up your V2 trigger, you'll have the option to add various types of inputs:
Text: Good old strings. Use this for any textual data.
Boolean (Yes/No): For your true or false needs.
Email: Technically, it's just text formatted as an email.
Number: For all your numerical data.
Date: When you need to specify a date.
File: For uploading a file record.
Adapting Your V1 Flows to V2
If you've got a bunch of flows using the V1 trigger, you might be wondering if you need to redo them all. The short answer is no. The V1 trigger is deprecated but still functional. However, for new flows or if you're in the mood for some housekeeping, adapting to V2 is pretty straightforward.
Add Inputs: Instead of "asking in Power Apps," you'll add an input in the V2 trigger and specify its type.
Rename Inputs: Always rename these to something less generic so you know what they are.
Use Dynamic Content: Once you've set up your inputs, you can use them as dynamic content in your flow just like you did with V1.
Power Apps Doesn't care: On the Power Apps side of the relationship, it doesn't know or care if you are using a V1 or V2 trigger so no changes there.
Uploading Files: The Old Way and the New Way
One of the trickiest parts of this transition might be dealing with file uploads. In the V1 world, you had to go through a series of steps involving JSON encoding and base64 conversions. With V2, you can still do it the old way, or you can take advantage of the new file input type, which simplifies the process considerably.
Ready to Make the Switch?
So there you have it, folks. The V2 trigger is here to stay, and it's not as scary as it might seem at first. If you're still feeling a bit overwhelmed, don't sweat it. Check out the Power Automate video Use the Power Automate v2 Trigger for Power Apps for a step-by-step walkthrough. And remember, if you need more personalized guidance, PowerApps911 is always here to help you out, whether it's mentoring or building your flows from scratch. Just scroll down the page and fill out the contact us form.
So what are you waiting for? Dive in and give the V2 trigger a whirl!