Power Automate Trigger Conditions

Do you want to add trigger conditions in Power Automate? In this Power Automate tutorial, I will explain everything about “Power Automate trigger conditions“, Power Automate trigger conditions syntax, and various Power Automate trigger conditions examples, etc.

Trigger Conditions in Power Automate are like rules that you set for your automated tasks. They make sure your task only runs if certain conditions are met.

Previously, you had to monitor tasks as they progressed to ensure they were progressing well. This sometimes led to tasks running without doing anything useful, using up your resources. Trigger conditions prevent that from happening by stopping tasks if the conditions aren’t right.

In this Power Automate tutorial, we will see what a trigger condition is and how to add a trigger condition to a flow in Power Automate.

Also, we will cover some examples to better understand the usage of trigger conditions in Power Automate.

Here are the topics we will cover

• What is the trigger condition in Power Automate?
• How to add a trigger condition in Power Automate?
• Power Automate trigger condition list
• Power Automate trigger condition example
  • Power Automate trigger conditions not equal
  • Power Automate trigger conditions equal
  • Power Automate trigger conditions AND
  • Power Automate trigger conditions OR
  • Power Automate trigger conditions contains
  • Power Automate trigger conditions AND OR
  • Power Automate trigger conditions choice
• Power Automate SharePoint trigger conditions
• Power Automate when an item is created trigger conditions
• Multiple Trigger Conditions in Power Automate

Trigger condition in Power Automate

In Power Automate, a trigger condition is a feature that allows us to specify particular conditions that must be met before an automated flow can run/ trigger. These conditions work as filters to control when your flow starts.

If the conditions are not satisfied, the flow won’t proceed, which helps prevent unnecessary or incorrect executions of your workflow.

The trigger conditions ensure that your flow operates only when specific requirements are met, thus improving the efficiency of your automated processes in Power Automate.

For example, you have created a flow that will trigger when a new email arrives in Outlook. So, this flow will trigger whenever a new email arrives in Outlook. However, when a subject contains ‘Need Help’, only the flow will trigger. In this situation, we can use a trigger condition that will prevent the trigger from firing until the trigger condition is satisfied.

How to add a trigger condition in Power Automate

Let’s see how to add a trigger condition in Power Automate.

For example, I have a Product details SharePoint list, which contains the following columns:

• Title: Single line of text
• Name: Single line of text
• Price: Currency
• Quantity: Number
• Status: Choice [ In stock, Out of stock, Low stock]

When an item is modified and the Status is changed to ‘Low stock’, then only the flow will trigger in Power Automate.

1. Open Power Automate Cloud, create an Automated Cloud flow, and then select the trigger action as ‘When an item is created or modified‘. Then provide the below information:

• Site Address: Provide the SharePoint site address.
• List name: Provide the Sharepoint list name.

2. To add the trigger condition, click the More button (…), then select Settings, as shown in the screenshot below.

3. If you scroll down, you can see an option for the Trigger condition. By clicking on the +Add button, you can add the trigger condition.

4. Once you click on the +Add button, the formula box will open, where we will add the trigger condition. So the trigger condition we are going to use is below:

@equals(triggerOutputs()?['body/Status/Value'], 'Low stock')

Then add a compose action and add some data.

Now, save the flow and run it manually. Modify an item from the SharePoint list, ensuring the Status is set to ‘Low stock’. Otherwise, the flow will not trigger.

As I have modified the Quantity and Status of the Product, you can see that our flow runs successfully because the status is now equal to ‘Low stock’.

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Power Automate trigger conditions list

Here, we will see a list of trigger conditions in Power Automate.

List of trigger conditions in Power Automate.

Expression	Description	Example
and	This accepts two Boolean arguments and returns true only if both values are true.	This expression returns true: and(greater(10,1),equals(0,0))
or	It accepts two Boolean arguments, the function returns true if either of the arguments is true. It is essential that both arguments provided are of Boolean data type.	This expression returns true: or(greater(1,10),equals(2,2))
equals	It will return if both are equal	This expression returns true: equals(2,2)
less	It accepts two arguments and returns true if the first argument is numerically less than the second argument. It’s important to note that the supported data types for these arguments are integer, float, and string.	This expression retuns false: less(10, 1)
lessOrEquals	It accepts two arguments and returns true if the first argument is numerically less than or equal to the second argument. It’s important to note that the supported data types for these arguments are integer, float, and string.	This expression returns true lessOrEquals(9,9)
greater	It accepts two arguments and returns true if the first argument is numerically greater than the second argument. Please be aware that the supported data types for these arguments are integer, float, and string.	This expression returns false: greater(14,14)
greaterOrEquals	It accepts two arguments and returns true if the first argument is numerically greater than or equal to the second argument. It’s important to note that the supported data types for these arguments are integer, float, and string.	This expression returns true: greaterOrEquals(100,100)
empty	Returns true if the object, array, or string lacks content or is empty.	This expression returns false: empty(‘To’)
not	It returns the opposite of a Boolean value.	This expression returns true not(contains(‘200 Success’, ‘400’))
if	It accepts value based on whether the expression evaluates to true or false.	if(equals(10, 10), ‘true’, ‘false’)

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Power Automate Trigger Conditions Examples

Now, let’s examine a few Power Automate trigger condition examples.

1. Power Automate trigger conditions not equal

Here, we will see how to use the not equal trigger condition in Power Automate

For example, we will use the above SharePoint Product List and set the trigger action to ‘When an item is created or modified’ in Power Automate. This action will only trigger when the Status is not equal to Out of Stock.

For this, we will use the expression below when an item is created or modified, trigger conditions:

@not(equals(triggerOutputs()?['body/Status/Value'], 'Out of Stock'))

Next, we will add a Compose action to check the output of the trigger action. For this, click on + New step -> select Compose action. Then provide the below information:

• Inputs: Provide the value below to see the name and Status of the modified product.

Product Name: @{triggerOutputs()?['body/Name']}
Status: @{triggerOutputs()?['body/Status/Value']}

To run the flow manually, you can modify an existing item or create a new one in the SharePoint list.

For example, I have modified the quantity of the Keyboard from 1200 to 2000, and the status is In stock.

Now you can see that our flow runs successfully, as the Status is not equal to ‘Out of stock’.

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2. Power Automate trigger condition equal

Here, we will see how to use an equal operator in the Power Automate trigger condition.

For example, we will use the same SharePoint Product details list explained above, along with the trigger action ‘When an item is created or modified’.

When a new item is created in the SharePoint list with the product name Keyboard, only the flow will trigger.

For this, we will use the following expression: ‘When an item is created or modified, trigger condition:

@equals(triggerOutputs()?['body/Name'], 'Keyboard')

Next, we will add a compose action to show the output of the trigger action. So, click on the + New step, select Compose action, then provide the information below:

• Inputs: Provide the below expression:

Product Name: @{triggerOutputs()?['body/Name']}
Status: @{triggerOutputs()?['body/Status/Value']}

Now save the flow and run it manually. Then create an item in the SharePoint list to trigger the flow.

You can see the flow run successfully, as the trigger condition in the Power Automate flow is satisfied.

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3. Power Automate trigger condition AND

Here, we will see how to use the AND operator in the Power Automate trigger condition.

For example, we will use the above SharePoint list (Product details), and we will use the trigger action When an item is created or modified. This action will only trigger when an item is modified or created with the product name equal to ‘Keyboard’ and the Status is equal to ‘Out of stock’.

For this, we will use the expression below in the ” When an item is created or modified trigger condition.

@and(equals(triggerOutputs()?['body/Title'], 'Keyboard'),equals(triggerOutputs()?['body/Status/Value'], 'Out of Stock'))

Next, we will add a compose action to show the output of the trigger action. So, click on the +New step, select Compose action, then provide the below information:

• Inputs: Provide the below expression:

Product Name: @{triggerOutputs()?['body/Name']}
Status: @{triggerOutputs()?['body/Status/Value']}

Now save the flow and run it manually. Then, modify a SharePoint list item status column from ‘In stock’ to ‘Out of stock’, as shown in the screenshot below.

You can see the flow run successfully, and you can see trigger outputs in Power Automate.

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4. Power Automate trigger conditions OR

Here, we will see how to use the OR operator in the Power Automate trigger condition.

For example, we will use the above SharePoint Product list and use the trigger action as When an item is created or modified. This action will only trigger when an item is modified or created with the product name equal to the Keyboard or Mouse.

For this, we will use the expression below in the ” When an item is created or modified trigger condition.

@or(equals(triggerOutputs()?['body/Name'], 'Keyboard'), equals(triggerOutputs()?['body/Name'], 'Mouse'))

Next, we will add a compose action to show the output of the trigger action. So, click on the +New step, select Compose action, then provide the below information:

• Inputs: Provide the below expression:

Product Name: @{triggerOutputs()?['body/Name']}
Status: @{triggerOutputs()?['body/Status/Value']}

Now save the flow and run it manually. Modify an item in the SharePoint list. As shown in the screenshot below, I have updated the Status of the Mouse from ‘Low Stock’ to ‘In Stock’.

You can see the flow run successfully, and you can see trigger outputs in Power Automate.

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5. Power Automate trigger condition contains

Here, we will see how to use the contains operator in the Power Automate trigger condition.

For example, we will use the above SharePoint Product list, and use the trigger action as When an item is created or modified. This action will only trigger when an item is modified or created if the name contains Mouse.

For this, we will use the expression below in the When an item is created or modified trigger condition.

@contains(triggerOutputs()?['body/Name'], 'Mouse')

We will add a compose action to show the output of the trigger action. So, click on the +New step, select Compose action, then provide the below information:

• Inputs: Provide the below expression:

Product Name: @{triggerOutputs()?['body/Name']}
Status: @{triggerOutputs()?['body/Status/Value']}

Now save the flow and run the flow manually. Modify an item in the SharePoint list. You can view the screenshot below. I have updated the status from ‘Low Stock’ to ‘In Stock’.

You can see the flow run successfully, and you can see trigger outputs in Power Automate.

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6. Power Automate trigger condition AND OR

Here, we will learn how to use the AND and OR operators in the Power Automate trigger condition.

For example, we will use the above SharePoint Product list and trigger action ‘When an item is created or modified’. This action will only trigger when an item is modified or created if the name equals the keyboard or it contains a Mouse, and the quantity of these two products must be greater than 60.

For this, we will use the expression below in the When an item is created or modified trigger condition.

@and(or(equals(triggerOutputs()?['body/Name'], 'Keyboard'), contains(triggerOutputs()?['body/Name'], 'Mouse')),greater(triggerOutputs()?['body/Quantity'], 60)

Now, to show the output of the above trigger action, we will use the Compose action. For this, click on the +New step -> select Compose action. Then provide the below information:

• Inputs: Provide the below expression:

Product Name: @{triggerOutputs()?['body/Name']}

Status: @{triggerOutputs()?['body/Status/Value']}
Quantity: @{triggerOutputs()?['body/Quantity']}

Now save the flow and run it manually. Modify an item in the SharePoint list; for example, I have modified the price here.

You can see that the flow runs successfully and the trigger output in Power Automate.

7. Power Automate trigger condition choice column

Here, we will see how to apply the Power Automate trigger condition on the SharePoint Choice column.

For example, in the above SharePoint Product list, the Status column is a choice type column. We will use the trigger action ‘When an item is created or modified’. This action will only trigger when the status is Low Stock or In Stock.

For this, we will use the expression below in the When an item is created or modified trigger condition.

@or(equals(triggerOutputs()?['body/Status/Value'], 'Out of Stock'), equals(triggerOutputs()?['body/Status/Value'], 'In Stock'))

We will add a compose action to show the output of the trigger action. So, click on the +New step, select Compose action, then provide the below information:

• Inputs: Provide the below expression:

Product Name: @{triggerOutputs()?['body/Name']}
Status: @{triggerOutputs()?['body/Status/Value']}

Now, save and run the flow manually. Modify an item in the Sharepoint list to trigger the flow, e.g., I have modified the quantity from 45 to 60 in the SharePoint list.

You can see your flow runs successfully and trigger output in Power Automate.

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Power Automate SharePoint trigger conditions

Here, we will see how to use SharePoint columns in Power Automate trigger conditions.

For example, I have a SharePoint list, called Employee, which contains the following columns:

• Title: Single line of text
• Name: Single line of text
• Department: Choice
• Joining Date: Date and time
• Designation: Single line of text
• IsActive: Yes/No

When an item is created or modified in the SharePoint list, the flow will trigger if the IsActive column of the created or modified item is set to true. Otherwise, it will not trigger. If it is true, we will send an email with the Employee details.

In Power Automate Cloud, create an Automated cloud flow that will trigger when an item is created or modified. Provide the below information:

• Site Address: Provide the SharePoint site address
• List name: Provide the SharePoint list name

Next, we will add a trigger condition so that the flow only triggers when the item is created or modified if the isActive column equals true.

For this, I have used the following expression in the trigger condition in Power Automate.

@equals(outputs('Get_item')?['body/IsActive'], true)

To send an email with employee information. For this, click on the +New step -> select Send an email(v2) action. Then provide the below information:

• To: Provide the recipient’s email
• Subject: Provide the subject of an email
• Body: Provide the body of an email like below.

Now, save and run the flow manually. You can modify an item in the SharePoint list or create a new one. For example, here I have modified the joining date of ‘Joni Sherman’, who is an active employee.

Once the flow runs successfully, you will receive an email similar to the one below.

This is an example of Power Automate SharePoint trigger conditions.

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Power Automate when an item is created trigger condition

Here, we will explore how to utilize the Power Automate trigger condition in the ‘When an item is created’ action.

For example, we will use the above SharePoint Employee list and create a flow that triggers when an item is created in this list with a Department value of IT. If the Department is not equal to IT, then the flow will not trigger.

In Power Automate Cloud, create an Automated Cloud flow, and then select the trigger action as ‘When an item is created‘. Then provide the information below:

• Site Address: Provide the SharePoint site address
• List name: Provide the SharePoint list name

Next, we will add a trigger condition so that the flow only triggers when the item is created with the Department equal to ‘IT’.

For this, I have used the following expression in the trigger condition in Power Automate.

@equals(triggerOutputs()?['body/Department/Value'], 'IT')

2. We will send a Welcome email to that employee; for this, click on the + New step -> select ‘Send an email(V2)’ action. Then provide the below information:

• To: Select the Employee email from the dynamic content
• Subject: Provide the subject of an email
• Body: Provide the body as below

Now, save and run the flow manually. To trigger the action, create an item in the SharePoint list.

Once the flow runs successfully, you can see the email below.

This is an example of Power Automate when an item is created trigger condition.

Multiple Trigger Conditions in Power Automate

Let’s say you have a SharePoint list called Employee Leave Requests.

Column Name	Type
Employee Name	Single line of text
Leave Type	Choice
Status	Choice (Pending, Approved, Rejected)
Start Date	Date and Time
End Date	Date and Time
Manager	Person or Group

You want when the Status column value is Approved or Rejected flow no need to trigger.

To do this, follow the steps below:

1. Go to Power Automate. Click Create > Automated cloud flow. Choose the trigger: When an item is created or modified (SharePoint). Select the SharePoint site and list name (“Employee Leave Requests”).

2. Click on the trigger (When an item is created or modified). Click the Settings Tab. Scroll down to Trigger Conditions. Add the following expression:

@not(equals(triggerOutputs()?['body/Status/Value'], 'Approved'))

@not(equals(triggerOutputs()?['body/Status/Value'], 'Rejected'))

Also, you can combine these two trigger conditions into one using ‘or’ like the expression below.

@or(not(equals(triggerOutputs()?['body/Status'], 'Approved')), not(equals(triggerOutputs()?['body/Status'], 'Rejected')))

3. Add Start and wait for an approval action, and provide the below parameters:
   • Approval type: Approve/Reject – First to respond
   • Title: Leave Request Approval – @{triggerBody()?[‘EmployeeName/DisplayName’]}
   • Assigned to: @{triggerBody()?[‘Manager/Email’]}
   • Body:

Dear @{triggerBody()?['Manager/DisplayName']},

Please review the following leave request submitted by **@{triggerBody()?['EmployeeName/DisplayName']}**.

**Leave Details:**
- **Leave Type**: @{triggerBody()?['LeaveType/Value']}
- **Start Date**: @{formatDateTime(triggerBody()?['StartDate'], 'dd MMM yyyy')}
- **End Date**: @{formatDateTime(triggerBody()?['EndDate'], 'dd MMM yyyy')}
- **Status**: @{triggerBody()?['Status/Value']}

Please choose one of the options below to approve or reject this request.

4. Now, we will add the Condition action to check whether the request is approved or rejected. In this Condition action, select the Outcome (from Start and wait for an approval action) value equal to Approve.

5. In the True section, condition action, add a Send an email (V2) action and provide the following parameters:
   • To: Employee email address
   • Subject: Leave Request Approved – @{triggerBody()?[‘EmployeeName/DisplayName’]}
   • Body:

Hello @{triggerBody()?['EmployeeName/DisplayName']},

Your leave request has been approved.

Details:
- Leave Type: @{triggerBody()?['LeaveType/Value']}
- Start Date: @{formatDateTime(triggerBody()?['StartDate'], 'dd MMM yyyy')}
- End Date: @{formatDateTime(triggerBody()?['EndDate'], 'dd MMM yyyy')}
- Comment: @{items('For_each')?['comments']}

Thanks,
Manager

When you add the Comment, it will automatically add a for each loop.

6. Then, add the Update item action and provide the site address and list name in the advanced options. Update the status value to ‘approved’.

7. In the False section, condition action, add a Send an email (V2) action and provide the following parameters:
   • To: Employee email address
   • Subject: Leave Request Rejected – @{triggerBody()?[‘EmployeeName/DisplayName’]}
   • Body:

Hello @{triggerBody()?['EmployeeName/DisplayName']},

Unfortunately, your leave request has been rejected.

Details:
- Leave Type: @{triggerBody()?['LeaveType/Value']}
- Start Date: @{formatDateTime(triggerBody()?['StartDate'], 'dd MMM yyyy')}
- End Date: @{formatDateTime(triggerBody()?['EndDate'], 'dd MMM yyyy')}
- Comment: @{items('For_each_1')?['comments']}

Thanks,
Manager

8. Then, add the Update item action and provide the site address and list name in the advanced options. Update the status value to ‘Rejected’.

7. After you’ve built your flow, click Save. Go to your SharePoint site. Open the list you’re using in the flow (Employee Leave Requests). Add a request.

After the flow runs, the manager will receive an approval email like below:

Once the manager approves, the employee will receive the following email.

When you go to the SharePoint list, you can see that the status value has been updated.

After that, you can see that the flow is not triggered again; this type of requirement typically arises when there is more than one approval stage.

Conclusion

In this Power Automate tutorial, we saw the trigger condition in Power Automate. Also, we saw how to add trigger conditions in Power Automate and a list of trigger conditions.

Finally, we covered some of the trigger conditions example

• Power Automate trigger conditions examples
  • Power Automate trigger conditions not equal
  • Power Automate trigger conditions equal
  • Power Automate trigger conditions AND
  • Power Automate trigger conditions OR
  • Power Automate trigger conditions contains
  • Power Automate trigger conditions AND OR
  • Power Automate trigger conditions choice
• Power Automate SharePoint trigger conditions
• Power Automate when an item is created trigger conditions

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• How to Create PDF File using Power Automate
• Start and Wait for an Approval in Power Automate
• Power Automate Email Body Formatting
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