Write code in a custom connector

Writing code in a custom connector can greatly enhance the functionality and capabilities of your Microsoft Power Automate flows. In this article, we will explore how you can write code in a custom connector, specifically focusing on the exam topics for the Microsoft Power Automate RPA Developer certification. Let’s dive in!

1. Creating a Custom Connector:

To start writing code in a custom connector, you first need to create one. Follow these steps:

• Go to the Power Automate portal (https://flow.microsoft.com)
• Click on “Solutions” in the left navigation pane.
• Select the solution where you want to create the connector or create a new one.
• Click on “Create” and choose “Custom connector.”
• Fill in the required information like the connector name, description, and logo.
• Click on “Continue” to start defining your connector.

2. Defining Actions and Triggers:

Once the custom connector is created, you can define actions and triggers using code snippets. Here’s an example of defining an action using JavaScript code:

[
{
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"input": {
"type": "string",
"description": "The input parameter for the action."
},
"output": {
"type": "string",
"description": "The output parameter for the action."
}
}
}
]

In this code snippet, we define an action with two parameters: “input” and “output,” both of type string. You can customize the code according to your requirements and the data types you need.

3. Adding Action Implementation:

After defining the action, you need to provide the code implementation for it. Let’s continue with our JavaScript example:

async function performAction(inputs) {
// Your code logic here
const result = inputs.input.toUpperCase();
return { output: result };
}

In this code snippet, we define an asynchronous function called “performAction” that takes inputs as a parameter. You can write your business logic inside this function. In this example, we simply convert the input string to uppercase and return it as the output.

4. Mapping Inputs and Outputs:

To ensure proper communication between your custom connector and Power Automate, you need to map the inputs and outputs of your action. Here’s a code snippet showing how to do that:

{
"triggers": {},
"actions": {
"PerformAction": {
"verb": "post",
"url": "https://api.example.com/action",
"request": {
"body": {
"input": "@{triggerBody()?['input']}"
},
"headers": {
"Content-Type": "application/json"
}
},
"responses": {
"200": {
"body": {
"output": "@body('PerformAction')?['output']"
}
}
}
}
}
}

In this snippet, we define the HTTP verb, URL, and request body for our action. We also specify the response mapping, ensuring that the output is correctly mapped.

5. Testing the Custom Connector:

After writing the code in your custom connector, it’s important to test it to ensure its functionality. You can test the connector by creating a flow with the custom connector action and verifying the results. Make sure to check error handling, data validation, and any other relevant aspects.

Conclusion:

Writing code in a custom connector is a powerful way to extend the capabilities of your Microsoft Power Automate flows. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can create custom connectors, define actions and triggers, implement code functionality, map inputs and outputs, and test your custom connector. By mastering these skills, you’ll be on your way to becoming a Microsoft Power Automate RPA Developer.

Remember, practice makes perfect! Keep exploring the Microsoft documentation and experimenting with different code snippets to enhance your custom connectors even further. Happy coding!