PL-900 Practice Question: Demonstrate the capabilities of Power Automate
You need to create a flow that runs every hour and checks if any new files have been added to a SharePoint document library. Which trigger type should you use?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse event-driven triggers (like 'When an item is created') with schedule-based triggers, assuming that a trigger that reacts to new items can also run on a timer, but in Power Automate, triggers are mutually exclusive—they either respond to events or run on a schedule, not both.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Recurrence
The Recurrence trigger is the correct choice because it initiates a flow on a fixed schedule (e.g., every hour) regardless of any events occurring in SharePoint. This trigger is ideal for polling scenarios where you need to periodically check for new files, as it runs autonomously without requiring an external event.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Compose
Why it's wrong here
Compose constructs data within a flow; it cannot initiate execution, so no hourly run occurs. It is tempting because it appears in the action picker alongside triggers, but it would be the correct choice for shaping or transforming values mid-flow, not for scheduling.
- ✗
When an item is created
Why it's wrong here
'When an item is created' fires per new SharePoint item, giving event-driven execution rather than the required hourly recurrence. It is tempting because it detects new files, but it would be correct when immediate notification on creation is wanted, not a scheduled poll.
- ✓
Recurrence
Why this is correct
The Recurrence trigger fires at fixed intervals, such as every hour, then the flow queries SharePoint for newly added files. This satisfies the hourly schedule requirement, since event-based triggers cannot guarantee a regular time interval.
- ✗
Power Apps button
Why it's wrong here
A Power Apps button trigger starts a flow from a canvas app interaction, so it cannot run hourly. It is tempting because it is a genuine instant trigger type, but it would be correct when a user taps a control in Power Apps, not for time-based scheduling.
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