Create Stunning HTML Tables With Power Automate Effortlessly

gptAI

11 min read

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11-15- 2024

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Creating stunning HTML tables with Power Automate can significantly enhance your workflows and reporting processes. With just a few steps, you can transform your data into visually appealing tables that are not only easy to read but also professional in appearance. This article will guide you through the process of creating beautiful HTML tables using Power Automate, empowering you to improve your automation capabilities.

Understanding Power Automate

Power Automate, previously known as Microsoft Flow, is a powerful tool that allows users to automate workflows between applications and services. By leveraging connectors, you can integrate different platforms, send notifications, sync files, and more. The ability to create HTML tables is just one of the many features that enhance the functionality of this automation tool.

What is an HTML Table?

HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) tables are a way to organize data in a structured format on a web page. Tables can contain rows and columns, making it easier to present information in a clear and concise manner. They are widely used in web development and can also be integrated into emails or reports generated through Power Automate.

Why Use HTML Tables in Power Automate?

Utilizing HTML tables in Power Automate provides several advantages:

• Organization: HTML tables help to structure data logically, making it easier for recipients to understand and analyze the information.
• Visual Appeal: Well-designed tables can capture attention and improve engagement.
• Flexibility: You can create tables that can adapt to different data sets, making them highly versatile.
• Professionalism: Delivering data in a neat format conveys professionalism and enhances your reputation.

Step-by-Step Guide to Create HTML Tables with Power Automate

Let’s dive into the step-by-step process of creating stunning HTML tables with Power Automate.

Step 1: Set Up Your Flow

1. Log in to Power Automate: Go to the Power Automate website and log in with your Microsoft account.
2. Create a New Flow: Click on “Create” in the left sidebar and choose the type of flow that suits your needs (e.g., Automated cloud flow, Instant cloud flow, etc.).
3. Choose a Trigger: Select a trigger that will initiate your flow, such as receiving an email, a new item in SharePoint, etc.

Step 2: Collect Data

Before you can create your HTML table, you need to gather the data you want to include. This data can come from various sources, including SharePoint lists, Excel files, SQL databases, and more.

Step 3: Initialize a Variable

1. Add a New Step: Click on “New step” and search for “Initialize variable.”
2. Configure the Variable: Name the variable (e.g., “HTMLTable”) and set its type to “String.” This variable will store your HTML table content.

Step 4: Create the HTML Table Header

To make your table look professional, start by adding the header row.

1. Add an Action: Click on “New step” and select “Set variable.”
2. Configure the Variable: Set the variable to contain your table's opening <table> tag and the header row. Here’s an example format:

Step 5: Populate the Table Rows
Next, you need to add rows of data beneath your header. Depending on your data source, this could vary.

Add a Loop: If you’re working with an array (e.g., from SharePoint or SQL), use the “Apply to each” action to loop through each item in the array.
Set the Variable for Each Item: Inside the loop, add another “Set variable” action to append each item’s data to the HTML table.
Here’s an example of how to append a row for each item:
Step 6: Close the Table
After you finish populating the rows with data, don’t forget to close the table:

Add a Final Action: After the loop, add another “Set variable” action.
Append the Closing Table Tag: Set the variable to contain </table>.
Step 7: Send the HTML Table
Now that you have your complete HTML table stored in a variable, you can send it in an email or use it in another step:

Add a “Send an Email” Action: Search for “Send an email (V2)” or your preferred email connector.
Configure the Email: In the body of the email, insert the HTML table variable (e.g., @{variables('HTMLTable')}).
Sample HTML Table Code
Here’s how your final HTML table might look, integrated into your email body:

  

    
Column 1
    
Column 2
    
Column 3
  






  
@{items('Apply_to_each')?['Column1']}
  
@{items('Apply_to_each')?['Column2']}
  
@{items('Apply_to_each')?['Column3']}











  

    
Column 1
    
Column 2
    
Column 3
  
  

    
Data 1
    
Data 2
    
Data 3
  

  

    
Column 1
    
Column 2
    
Column 3
  
  

    
Data 1
    
Data 2
    
Data 3